On April 19, the first phase of the 139th Canton Fair concluded, with the second and third phases set to begin soon. This is the first Canton Fair in the opening year of the “15th Five-Year Plan.” As a national-level trade fair that has been running for nearly 70 years, what new changes have emerged? How is this platform better serving the upgrading of China’s foreign trade? Here are observations from the journalist over the past five days at the 139th Canton Fair.

Despite the complex and volatile global trade environment, China’s foreign trade has gotten off to a strong start, with the total value of goods trade in the first quarter exceeding 11 trillion yuan for the first time, a year-on-year increase of 15%. This impressive performance was reflected at the Canton Fair: 75,700 booths and over 32,000 exhibitors, both record highs. As of April 19, 167,000 overseas buyers from 216 countries and regions had attended, up 5.9% from the previous session. Behind the crowds lies global buyers’ recognition of the “hard power” of Chinese manufacturing and their urgent desire to seek new opportunities in China.

The exoskeleton robot experience area was one of the hottest spots. Visitors lined up to try on equipment that can turn a person into a “superhuman.”

Lightweight design, intelligent recognition, multi-scenario adaptability… the exoskeleton products on display are constantly being upgraded. A patient with muscle weakness from Argentina, accompanied by family, tried on a set of the latest lower-limb exoskeleton equipment. As she attempted to take a step with the device’s assistance, her family nearby burst into tears.

Scenes like this are not uncommon here. Visitors from around the world are personally experiencing the changes brought by China’s cutting-edge technology to daily life. This market feedback is precisely the driving force behind companies’ technological iteration. The head of Taixi Intelligent Company, participating in the Canton Fair for the third time, said that from a “trial run” last year to becoming a “star booth” this year, they have truly felt the platform’s support.

To more systematically and comprehensively showcase new productive forces, this Canton Fair not only strongly supported existing popular zones but also proactively opened new tracks.

For the first time, the Canton Fair organized a drone flight show, featuring firefighting drones, emergency rescue lighting drones, and small consumer-grade drones, attracting the attention of many buyers.

Zhuang Yingjie, general manager of Shantou Feilite Model Industry Co., Ltd., said: “Previously, we had no opportunity for professional display. This time, being able to showcase in front of so many customers makes us particularly happy and feels great.”

Zhuang comes from a small drone company that has participated in nearly ten Canton Fairs. In the past, their booth was lost among the larger electronics category. In such an area, communication costs were extremely high. This year, the Canton Fair set up a new zone for consumer-grade drones, grouping similar products together, and Zhuang’s neighbors finally became peers.

From “finding a needle in a haystack” to “precise matching,” and then to a “dynamic showcase,” moving the booth made a huge difference. This Canton Fair added nine new zones, including consumer-grade drones, smart wearables, display technology, modular homes, and garden facilities.

Song Wencan, deputy director of the Canton Fair Work Department at the China Foreign Trade Centre, said: “Currently, China’s foreign trade is accelerating its transformation toward ‘new,’ ‘green,’ and ‘smart.’ We are closely following this trend. The nine new zones cover themes such as smart manufacturing, green and low-carbon, and emerging consumption, focusing on product areas with high potential for new productive forces and strong innovation vitality. This showcases a new image of Chinese manufacturing, improves the efficiency of supply-demand matching, meets enterprises’ needs for market expansion, and stimulates the Canton Fair’s innovation vitality.”

It is understood that among the over 4.65 million exhibits at this Canton Fair, new products, green products, and products with independent intellectual property rights each account for more than 20%. Additionally, over 61% of exhibitors have applied new technologies such as the Industrial Internet and artificial intelligence in their production or services. The official platform sets the stage, and enterprises perform. For many first-time exhibitors, this new stage has opened up a much larger world than traditional professional exhibitions.

Setting up new zones allows the most cutting-edge industries to be spotlighted. However, within the massive scale of 1.55 million square meters and over 75,700 booths, helping every buyer precisely find what they need among the vast array of goods is another challenge. This year’s Canton Fair

Canton Fair

The Canton Fair, officially known as the China Import and Export Fair, is a major trade event held biannually in Guangzhou, China. Established in 1957, it is one of the oldest and largest trade fairs in China, playing a crucial role in the country’s economic development and international trade relations. The fair showcases a vast range of Chinese products and serves as a key platform for global buyers to connect with Chinese suppliers.

139th Canton Fair

The 139th Canton Fair, officially the China Import and Export Fair, is a major biannual trade event held in Guangzhou, China, showcasing a vast range of Chinese and international products. Established in 1957, it has a long history as a key platform for China’s foreign trade, facilitating business connections and economic exchange for decades. The 139th edition continues this tradition, serving as a vital hub for global buyers and sellers to network, negotiate, and explore new market opportunities.

15th Five-Year Plan

The “15th Five-Year Plan” refers to China’s national development strategy for the years 2026 to 2030, continuing a series of comprehensive economic and social planning initiatives that began in 1953. These plans are designed to set long-term goals and guide policy across sectors such as technology, infrastructure, and environmental sustainability. The 15th iteration builds on previous plans, with a likely focus on high-quality development, innovation, and achieving the country’s “dual carbon” targets.

China

China is one of the world’s oldest continuous civilizations, with a recorded history spanning over 3,500 years. It was home to influential dynasties like the Shang, Zhou, Qin, and Ming, which contributed to major advancements in writing, philosophy, and technology. Today, China is known for its rich cultural heritage, including landmarks such as the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, as well as its rapid modern development.

Argentina

Argentina is a South American country known for its rich cultural heritage, blending Indigenous, European, and immigrant influences. Its history includes Spanish colonization starting in the 16th century, followed by independence in 1816, and periods of economic growth, political turmoil, and the rise of iconic figures like Eva Perón. Today, Argentina is famous for tango music and dance, asado cuisine, and landmarks such as the Andes mountains and Iguazú Falls.

Taixi Intelligent Company

Taixi Intelligent Company is a Chinese technology firm specializing in artificial intelligence and intelligent manufacturing solutions. Founded in the early 2010s, the company has grown rapidly by developing advanced AI-driven products for industrial automation and smart city applications. It represents China’s broader push toward technological innovation and digital transformation in the modern era.

Shantou Feilite Model Industry Co., Ltd.

Shantou Feilite Model Industry Co., Ltd. is a Chinese manufacturing company based in Shantou, Guangdong, specializing in the production of plastic model kits and toys. Founded in the early 2000s, it has grown to become a notable player in the hobby industry, known for producing affordable and detailed scale models, particularly of military vehicles and aircraft. The company reflects Shantou’s broader role as a hub for toy manufacturing, contributing to the region’s economic development since its rise as a special economic zone in the 1980s.

China Foreign Trade Centre

The China Foreign Trade Centre, commonly known as the Canton Fair Complex in Guangzhou, is a major hub for international trade and exhibitions. Established in 1957, it has hosted the China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) biannually, playing a pivotal role in China’s economic opening and global trade connections. As one of the largest and most historic trade venues in the world, it symbolizes China’s transition from a closed economy to a key player in global commerce.