The 138th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) concluded on November 4, delivering a powerful message of resilience and opportunity in global trade. Defying a complex international economic landscape, the event attracted over 310,000 overseas buyers from 223 countries and regions, setting a new historical record and marking the first time the figure has surpassed the 300,000 mark. This remarkable "vote of confidence with their feet" underscores the enduring and growing appeal of China's manufacturing and supply chain ecosystem.
The final attendance figure reflected strong growth momentum observed throughout the
event. By the end of the second phase, the fair had already drawn nearly 240,000 international purchasers, a 6.8% increase compared to the same period last session.
A Shift in Global Demand: Emerging Markets Take Center Stage
The data reveals a significant shift in the geographic sources of demand, highlighting the diversification of China's trade partnerships. Buyers from Belt and Road Initiative partner countries remained the cornerstone, constituting 69% of all international attendees with 214,000 visitors, a notable increase of 9.4%.
However, the most striking growth came from key emerging and traditional markets. European Union buyer attendance surged by an impressive 32.7%, while the number of buyers from the Middle East rose by 13.9%. Significant increases were also recorded from the United States (14%) and Brazil (33.2%), indicating a broad-based recovery and expansion of global procurement interest. This robust turnout from diverse economic regions translated into substantial commercial outcomes, with on-site intended export value reaching $25.65 billion.
From "Made in China" to "Innovated in China": The New Appeal
The record-breaking attendance was driven by more than just quantity. This session showcased a fundamental upgrade in "Made in China," transforming it from a synonym for volume to a beacon of innovation, intelligence, and sustainability.
The fair was a showcase of China's advancing technological prowess. A record-breaking 10,000 high-quality enterprises, including national-level high-tech and specialized "little giant" firms, exhibited their products. Of the 4.6 million exhibits, roughly 23% were new products, 23.5% were green, low-carbon items, and 23.9% boasted independent intellectual property rights-1. Cutting-edge products like embodied robots, brain-computer interface devices, and AI-powered rehabilitation equipment were major crowd-pullers, drawing keen interest from global buyers.
This shift directly aligns with the specific needs of growing markets. For instance, companies like Guangdong Lingdu Intelligent Technology found strong demand in the Middle East for their water-saving cleaning robots, which use only 1/20 of the water of conventional methods. Similarly, service robots for commercial cleaning and logistics, exhibited by companies like Shenzhen Hongxujin Technology, are meeting urgent demand in Belt and Road markets.
More Than Transactions: Building Partnerships for the Future
The Canton Fair has solidified its role as the premier platform not only for transactions but for forging long-term partnerships. Many Chinese manufacturers are leveraging this platform to move up the value chain. Companies like Zhejiang Dublin Valve Co., once reliant on original equipment manufacturing (OEM), are now successfully promoting their own brands in over 20 countries, targeting markets in Central Asia and the Middle East.
International buyers echo this sentiment. "The Canton Fair is far more than a one-stop sourcing platform; it's a barometer for industry trends," noted one overseas buyer, adding that "China's production and supply chain are irreplaceable". Another long-term attendee from El Salvador, who has grown his business with Chinese partners over a decade, stated, "In my mind, China is the future of the global economy".
The 138th Canton Fair, with its unprecedented global participation, has sent a clear signal: the world continues to look to China for manufacturing excellence, supply chain reliability, and increasingly, for the innovative and sustainable products that will define the future. It stands as a vibrant testament to China's commitment to high-level opening-up and its integral role in fostering win-win cooperation in global trade.
Post time: Dec-30-2025
