139th Canton Fair Highlights Improvement in Product Quality
Guangzhou (ANTARA) - Maria Laura from Argentina, who has struggled to walk due to weakened muscle strength and has relied on a wheelchair for years, attended the Canton Fair as a companion to help a friend purchase hair styling products.
However, in the robot services exhibition area, she discovered an unexpected surprise: the opportunity to stand again.
At the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, the 139th edition of which recently concluded in Guangzhou, southern China’s Guangdong Province, she donned an exoskeleton robot developed by Hangzhou TransitX Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd., with the assistance of staff.
She then stood steadily and began walking on her own.
“I can walk on my own. It feels amazing. My legs are getting stronger,” said Laura, greeted with resounding applause from visitors, while her friend shed tears of joy.
This moment was captured on camera and quickly went viral online, reflecting how “Made in China” products are advancing in the value chain towards intelligent manufacturing.
According to Liang Linchao, the founder and CEO of the Hangzhou-based technology company, the exoskeleton robot can detect movement intentions based on the user’s subtle body motions. The robot then activates its motors to assist with leg movements, providing support for sports enthusiasts, the elderly, and individuals with mobility challenges.
When the company first showcased the product at the 137th Canton Fair a year ago, the robot weighed 2.4 kilograms. Since then, its weight has been reduced to 1.8 kilograms, marking a significant improvement in lighter design, while its algorithms have also been fully optimised.
“We don’t wait years to improve products. New versions frequently arrive within three to six months, and our new technology research and development line is always ongoing,” said Liang, adding that such rapid iteration is possible thanks to China’s established industrial chain, with suppliers in the Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta able to quickly respond to demands regarding price, weight, and functionality.
A similar shift is evident in the new energy sector, where Chinese companies are moving away from price competition towards localised solutions and comprehensive offerings.
For example, Shenzhen Huaxing New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. has developed a small smart energy storage unit specifically designed for Europe, where grid stability is limited and electricity prices fluctuate every 15 minutes.
“In the face of growing global energy challenges, energy storage will remain a rapidly growing industry for decades,” said Sun Huaibing, R&D director at the company. “Price competition alone is not sustainable. The key is to provide solutions tailored to needs and professional services.”
Even in the accessories industry, often seen as having certain technological barriers, design and technology remain the main drivers. Guangzhou Justop Accessories Ltd. exports 90% of its products, mainly stainless steel ornaments. The company now serves a broader global market, expanding beyond Europe and the United States to Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East.
“We launch 300 to 500 stock keeping units (SKUs) per month. This rapid iteration keeps us at the forefront of the global fashion world, and our customers are willing to establish long-term partnerships with us,” said Chen Danping, deputy general manager of the company.
The 139th Canton Fair closed on Tuesday (5/5) and attracted more than 32,000 exhibitors. Up to 4 May, the fair had drawn 314,000 foreign buyers from 220 countries and regions, a record high. In addition, data from the General Administration of Customs (GAC) shows that China’s foreign goods trade value reached 11.84 trillion yuan (1 yuan = Rp2,553) in the first quarter of 2026, up 15% year-on-year.
Zhu Yong, director of the China Foreign Trade Centre, stated that despite an increasingly uncertain external environment, the Canton Fair is becoming more vibrant. Zhu said this reflects strong confidence in China’s complete industrial chain and stable supply chain, as well as the “voice of confidence” in the Chinese economy.
“Every year, some say business is getting harder. But opportunities and challenges always go hand in hand. Demand is always there, but the key is whether you can find it,” said Wei Fenhai, sales manager at Four-Faith Group, a digital technology company located in eastern China’s Fujian Province.
“The Chinese people are the best sellers in the world in my opinion. Most of the goods we use in the world come from here,” said Tidiane Tally, a buyer from France. “So, even if we are hit by crisis, people will still need and cooperate with China because of all the quality that China has.”