Canton Fair 139 closes with 314,000 buyers from 220 countries and regions
The 139th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) formally concluded in Guangzhou on Tuesday, 5 May, recording attendance of 314,000 overseas buyers from 220 countries and regions.
“To clean one tall building, traditional methods require 20 tonnes of water, while we only need 1 tonne,” said Huang Jian, Deputy General Manager of Guangzhou Lingdu Intelligent Technology Development Co., Ltd., as he introduced the company’s facade-cleaning robot ‘Lingkong K3’.
The 139th Canton Fair was the first exhibition to be held in the opening year of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan. Organisers attributed this year’s achievements to the fair’s large scale, high participant enthusiasm, and enhanced display of innovative-manufacturing products.
The fair was held across an area of 1.55 million square metres, with 75,700 booths and more than 32,000 participating companies. Of these, around 3,900 companies were new entrants to the event.
Additionally, the Canton Fair recorded increased buyer numbers from traditional markets, while participation from Belt and Road partner countries remained stable. Organisers say this reflects an expanding global trade network amid global economic challenges.
Products themed ‘new, green, and smart’ were among the fair’s main draws. Huang explained that the facade-cleaning robot introduced by his company has work efficiency more than three times that of human labour, and can save up to 95% of water usage.
The robot is designed to replace high-risk work at height and to address the global demand for low-carbon solutions. Huang said the use of robots can also help reduce reliance on traditional cleaning methods that require substantial resources.
In addition to the facade-cleaning robot, the company also launched the household glass-cleaning device ‘Xiaofeixia X1’. Huang said the product recorded stable daily sales of around 100 units during the exhibition. Buyers from the Middle East and Southeast Asia were reported to place orders on site, with sample units often selling out.
In the smart home appliance zone, air-conditioner maker Chigo introduced an AI-based air conditioner equipped with four main functions: AI voice, AI silent mode, AI energy-saving, and AI sleep mode. The product has attracted attention since its introduction, as it can detect indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity. It can also detect activity inside a room via millimeter-wave radar. With AI-enabled algorithms, the device can autonomously adjust operating modes according to environmental conditions, and the company claims this can reduce electricity consumption by up to 30% compared with conventional air conditioners.
AI is applied not only to the exhibited products but also to Canton Fair’s supporting services. The organisers provide intelligent search and navigation through the official Canton Fair app to help visitors locate exhibitors.
Amid the crowds, an Indonesian entrepreneur named Said used the intelligent navigation feature to quickly find the Chigo AC booth. Through the AI translation and smart note-taking features, he could negotiate with the company more efficiently and ultimately express initial interest in a purchase.
Separately, the organisers note that current international trade dynamics continue to present challenges for businesses. Global supply chain restructuring, energy price volatility, and ongoing regional conflicts are cited as creating uncertainty for the foreign trade sector.
As the province with the largest foreign trade value in China, Guangdong is believed to be directly affected by this pressure. The 139th Canton Fair is viewed as an important platform for companies in the region to seek market breakthroughs and expand business networks. The fair also showcased how Guangdong firms are adapting to shifts in the global market through product innovation and stronger export strategies.
Canton Fair has long been known as a platform that brings together producers and buyers from many countries. The organisers say the event continues to optimise services and build a more efficient business connectivity system for global participants.
One of the new entrants at this Canton Fair is Zhongshen Technology (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd. The company brought Italian-style gelato machines and mobile ice-cream carts. The products appealed to buyers for their practical user experience and attractive design.
The company claims indicative orders exceeding US$100,000 in the first two days of the event. “The Canton Fair is an excellent platform for us to develop overseas markets. Through this exhibition, we can connect directly with end customers and understand the latest consumption trends in the global market,” said the company’s representative.
He added that buyers from Europe and Southeast Asia have also pledged to visit the factory. This move is said to lay the groundwork for long-term cooperation discussions. Cross-border cooperation stories are also seen in the participation of Indonesian companies.