Year-ender: Major industrial expos in 2021

China Import and Export Fair

The China Import and Export Fair, or Canton Fair, was held twice this year - the 129th session was held online from April 15 to 24 and the 130th held both offline and online from Oct 15 to Nov 3. A total of 26,000 participating companies submitted more than 2.76 million exhibits during the 129th Canton Fair, which received 35.38 million visits on its official website and attracted 880,000 viewers to its livestreaming programs.

The 130th Canton Fair attracted more than 600,000 visitors from around the world, with in-person attendance resuming after being suspended for three sessions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

About 8,000 domestic and overseas foreign companies showcased their latest products and technologies in 51 exhibition zones, covering an area of 400,000 square meters. Another 26,000 firms displayed their technologies, goods and services online.

The Canton Fair, founded in 1957, is seen as an important barometer of China's foreign trade. The holding of the event both online and offline this year demonstrated China's effective containment of COVID-19 and the country's determination to further open up its market.