GUANGZHOU, 25 April (BelTA - Xinhua). - The number of overseas purchasers registered for the just-concluded 131st session of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, hit a record high of 536,000 from 228 countries and regions.
The time-honored trade fair opened online from April 15 to April 24 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Overseas buyers registered for the 131st session increased by 48 percent compared with the 129th session and 41.8 percent compared with the 130th session, said Xu Bing, spokesperson for the fair.
Among them, 298,100 buyers were from countries along the Belt and Road, accounting for more than 55 percent of the total buyers, while 150,800 buyers were from members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), accounting for over 28 percent, Xu said.
More than 3 million exhibits were displayed online, including 951,500 new products, setting new records. The online exhibition hall received over 6.2 million visits over the past ten days. A total of 210,500 electronic business cards were issued by exhibitors, and about 100,000 online conversations were held by overseas buyers.
The figures showed that the Chinese market remains attractive in its sustained potential.
"Despite the complicated and severe economic and trade situation, the online Canton Fair system is more stable and efficient this year, providing better services, which has been widely praised by exhibitors," Xu said.
"The event has made positive contributions to promoting high-quality trade development, maintaining the stability of industrial and supply chains, and promoting world economic recovery," Xu added.
Since 1957, the fair has taken place twice a year in south China's Guangzhou City to facilitate global trade. It took place online and offline for the first time in autumn last year.
