Scope and Scale
In the golden month of October, the 138th China Import and Export Fairbetter known as the Canton Fairunfolded across 1.55 million square meters in Guangzhou, in Guangdong Province of the Chinese mainland. With 74,600 booths and 32,000 exhibiting companies, the fair became a bustling hub of global commerce.
From World Market to Tech Leader
Once famed as the world's factory, this edition of the Canton Fair marked a strategic pivot: from 'leading in scale' to 'pacing in technology' and even 'leading in application.' The first phase, themed 'Advanced Manufacturing,' highlighted five key sectorsfrom electronics and home appliances to industrial machinery and vehicles. Buzzing zones like 'Smart Life' and 'Service Robotics' drew crowds eager to glimpse the future.
Spotlight on Innovation
Over 5,500 specialized firms took part, including national high-tech enterprises and so-called 'little giants' of niche manufacturingtogether forming a complete industrial ecosystem. Household names like Haier, Midea and Gree shared the stage with AI unicorns, showcasing how giants and startups drive progress in tandem.
A German firm's China general manager, He Sifan, put it succinctly: 'The Canton Fair is not only the core pillar of our procurement strategy, but an important catalyst for driving industry change.' This blend of scale and innovation cements the fair's role as both a barometer and weathervane of global trade.
Robots and Beyond
Robots stole the spotlight with cutting-edge demosfrom intelligent orthopedic surgical systems performing submillimeter-precision joint replacements, to learning robotic 'physiotherapists' and even automated baristas. Designed for landscape maintenance, photovoltaics and smart homes, these machines rival the world's best in precision and intelligence.
Li Jiaxian from Shenzhen Yuejiang Technology reveals that their collaborative robots have reached over 100 countries, with exports set to rise by more than 50 percent in 2024. Meanwhile, revenue from their commercial service robots surged 165.5 percent year-on-yearunderlining the Chinese mainland's second-largest global share of industrial robot exports.
AI Powers Tradition
Next to robotics, AI-driven appliances attracted attention. Smart glasses, AI-powered white goods and next-gen smart TVs demonstrated how 'AI+' is reinventing everyday productsbringing a fresh wave of efficiency and interactivity to traditional industries.
What's Next?
As the Canton Fair continues to evolve, it highlights a broader shift: the Chinese mainland is no longer just a scale model of manufacturing prowess, but a laboratory for next-generation technologies that are poised to reshape global value chains.
Reference(s):
138th Canton Fair: China's assured advance in global value chains
cgtn.com
