Guangdong's Bold Path to Global Trade: Announcing the 136th Canton Fair and the Free Trade Zone's Role in Expansion

GUANGZHOU, China--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Guangdong Province, long a hub for international trade, is once again at the forefront of China’s efforts to open up, as the 136th Canton Fair prepares to welcome the world from October 15th to November 4th, 2024. With roots dating back to the Tang Dynasty's Maritime Silk Road, Guangzhou continues to serve as a crucial gateway for trade, evolving with each era to meet global demands.

The Canton Fair, first launched in 1957, has grown into China's most prominent trade event, cementing its role as the nation's top platform for global commerce. Over its 135 sessions, the Canton Fair has established connections with 229 countries and regions, generating an impressive cumulative export turnover of $1.5 trillion. This unparalleled trade event reflects Guangdong’s commitment to international exchange, attracting millions of buyers and boosting economic ties across the world.

Alongside the Canton Fair, the China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone, established in 2015, is a prime example of Guangdong’s relentless push for openness and innovation. The Free Trade Zone, particularly the Qianhai and Shekou Area in Shenzhen, has provided fertile ground for businesses like Dutch entrepreneur Johannes Jozef Bults’s import-export operations. "The support we’ve received—from registration to day-to-day operations—has been remarkable, allowing for smooth and efficient business dealings," Bults shared.

Experts, such as Gu Qingyang from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, acknowledge Guangdong's key role in leading China’s next wave of high-quality development. The province's focus on building "new quality productive forces," particularly in manufacturing and the real economy, underpins its drive to develop a globally competitive industrial system. The push to enhance cooperation within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area further solidifies Guangdong’s position as a linchpin in China’s trade and economic strategies.

As preparations for the 136th Canton Fair are underway, it’s clear that Guangdong remains a vital window through which the world engages with China. The Free Trade Zone and the Canton Fair stand as testaments to the province’s enduring spirit of openness, carrying forward the legacy of the Maritime Silk Road while embracing the demands of the modern global economy.