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By QIU QUANLIN in Guangzhou | China Daily | Updated: 2026-11-12 10:02
At an exhibition zone for sports products inside the Pazhou Complex in Guangzhou, capital of South China's Guangdong province, Liang Yiwei, general manager of Guangzhou Vanguard Watersports Products Co, was busy introducing the company's new swimming and diving products to foreign buyers.
"Innovative and green water sports products have become hot purchasing items for foreign buyers," Liang said.
Liang made the remarks during the third phase of the 140th session of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair. The fair, held twice a year in spring and autumn, respectively, has three five-day phases in each session.
The fair's third phase, under the theme of "Better Life", has 21 exhibition zones across five major categories, including toys and maternity, baby and children's products, fashion, home textiles, health and leisure, and stationery.
"The Philippines, Indonesia, Japan and South Korea in Asia have become the largest markets for our swimming and diving products," said Liang.
In Europe, key markets for the company's business are Italy, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands, with Germany becoming the most traditional transit country for its overseas business, according to Liang.
In response to the increased overseas demand, the company, established in 1987 in Guangzhou, introduces its functional and innovative products in swimming and diving categories every season, said Liang.
"The overseas market for swimming-related products is now more dynamic and youthful than before," said Liang.
To cope with the new trend, the company has to accelerate the updating pace of its products — from a major overhaul every five years to now having significant updates every one to two years. The range of their color options has also expanded from two in the previous years to more than 10, according to Liang.
"The biggest change is in the consumer groups, with a growing number of female participants, especially in the overseas market, taking part in such sports," said Liang.
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