Intl aquaculture expo opens in Zhanjiang, launching a platform for Sino-foreign cooperation

The 12th Guangdong International Aquaculture Products Expo kicked off in the coastal city of Zhanjiang, Guangdong province, on Thursday, building a platform for Sino-foreign cooperation and expanding trade in this field.

The three-day event, which displays state-of-the-art aquaculture technologies worldwide, has attracted more than 400 participants and another 4,000 buyers from over 20 countries and regions to gather in this western Guangdong city to seek business opportunities.

He Jiamin, vice-mayor of Zhanjiang, said, "The annual event is both an important window for Zhanjiang's maritime development and a key platform for domestic and international exchange and cooperation in the aquatic industry."

Last year, the expo achieved an intended transaction value of over 33 billion yuan ($4.85 billion), showcasing a high-standard, international, and professional industry event for the global aquatic sector, she said.

"It is expected that the number of business attendees will exceed 30,000. As the scale and influence of the expo continue to grow, it will inject even stronger momentum into global exchange and cooperation in the aquatic industry," He said.

As the host city, Zhanjiang has been continuously enhancing its reputation as a seafood destination in recent years. In 2025, the city's total fishery output reached more than 1.35 million metric tons, with a total output value of 29.41 billion yuan ($4.26 billion), accounting for about 14 percent of the province's total.

The aquaculture production of prawns and golden pomfrets ranks among the top in the province. Leveraging its solid industrial foundation, Zhanjiang is accelerating the construction of deep-water net cages and marine ranches, promoting the expansion of aquaculture into deeper and farther offshore waters, and safeguarding the "blue granary".