The exhibition hall of the China Import and Export Fair, commonly known as the Canton Fair, in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong Province File photo: VCG

The 139th Canton Fair is set to open on Wednesday in Guangzhou, with a record number of exhibitors, while bringing together more than 210,000 global buyers pre-registered so far, a 20 percent year-on-year increase, officials revealed on Friday.

More than 32,000 enterprises will participate in the 139th Canton Fair, exceeding previous sessions. Meanwhile, over 210,000 global buyers have registered as of Thursday. Among confirmed attendees, 290 leading global buyer companies have registered, up 30 percent from last year, Wang Zhihua, director general of the Department of Foreign Trade of the Ministry of Commerce, said on Friday at a press conference for the 139th China Import and Export Fair, commonly known as Canton Fair. 

"The buyer structure has become more diversified, with notable growth from countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative, as well as those from Latin America and Africa," said Wang.

Despite fluctuations in Middle East buyers' attendance at some international exhibitions recently, their interest in the Canton Fair remains strong, Zhu Yong, director of China Foreign Trade Centre, the organizer of the Canton Fair, said on Friday at the press conference.

"To support them, we have introduced special service packages, including online business matching for Middle East enterprises that are unable to participate on-site, dedicated livestreamed tours, and enhanced services for Middle East companies already in China," said Zhu.

Zhu also noted that "we will fully leverage the platform function of the Canton Fair as an open window to the outside world, sharing new opportunities for China's development."

In terms of what this session of Canton Fair can offer to global buyers, Wang said that nine new themed zones will be introduced, covering smart wearables, display technologies, consumer drones, integrated housing and courtyard facilities, among others. The scale of exhibition areas for electronic consumer goods, new materials, and industrial automation has also been expanded.

More than 11,000 exhibitors are specialized, high-quality enterprises, a 5.1 percent increase from previous session in October and November 2025. Among the over 4.65 million exhibits on display, new products, green products, and those with independent intellectual property rights account for 23 percent, 22 percent, and 25 percent respectively, said Wang.

Wang also stressed that as the first Canton Fair held at the start of China's 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30), this edition carries special importance.

"The Canton Fair was founded (in 1957) during China's first Five-Year Plan period (1953-57). After 70 years, it remains as vibrant as ever. In the current 15th Five-Year Plan period, it continues to receive high expectations," said Wang.

According to Canton Fair's surveys, among the more than 32,000 exhibitors at this session, nearly 20 percent have already carried out overseas investments, creating over 200,000 local jobs and making positive contributions to the economic and social development of host countries, Wang noted.

The Canton Fair, one of China's most important trade platforms, will keep strengthening connections between Chinese manufacturers and global buyers, Zhu Qiucheng, CEO of Ningbo New Oriental Electric Industrial Development and a regular Canton Fair participant, told the Global Times.

"Beyond business deals, the fair also serves as a vital bridge for knowledge sharing across countries. Exhibitors and buyers frequently exchange insights on advanced manufacturing techniques and region-specific marketing strategies. These interactions not only help individual companies grow but also promote broader progress across entire industries," said Zhu Qiucheng.