On October 14, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a regular press conference.
A reporter asked: “The 140th Canton Fair is about to open, and the ninth China International Import Expo (CIIE) will kick off on November 5. Recently, China has also successfully held the China International Fair for Trade in Services, the China–ASEAN Expo, and the Global Digital Trade Expo. Some media have commented that, by hosting a series of international exhibitions in close succession that have drawn active participation from enterprises across the world, China has become an important driving force for the development of the global economy and trade. Does the spokesperson have any comment?”
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning replied: “This series of exhibitions are all important windows for China to connect with the world, empower development, and benefit the people. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Canton Fair, which will be joined by 32,000 enterprises, including more than 11,000 high-caliber enterprises such as specialized and sophisticated ‘little giant’ firms and single-item manufacturing champions. At this year’s CIIE, China will continue to provide free booths to the least developed countries, and upgrade the zones for Asian and African products, so as to help African countries with diplomatic ties seize the dividends of ‘zero tariffs.’ Behind the strong appeal of these exhibitions lies China’s resolve and efforts to advance high-standard opening-up and share development opportunities with the world.”
On October 14, President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the 140th China Import and Export Fair (the Canton Fair).
In the letter, Xi Jinping noted: “Over the 70 years since its founding, the Canton Fair has played an important role in promoting trade exchanges between China and the rest of the world, and has become an effective platform for China to expand high-standard opening-up and advance the building of an open world economy. Under the new circumstances, China stands ready to join hands with all countries to uphold the multilateral trading system, keep global industrial and supply chains stable and unimpeded, expand space for mutually beneficial international economic and trade cooperation, advance inclusive economic globalization that benefits all, and continuously inject new impetus into world development and prosperity.”
On October 14, Premier Li Qiang attended the opening ceremony of the 140th Canton Fair in Guangzhou and delivered a keynote speech.
In his speech, Li Qiang noted: This year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Canton Fair. President Xi Jinping specially sent a congratulatory letter, fully affirming the achievements of the Canton Fair and reaffirming China’s firm resolve to expand high-standard opening-up. Through the ‘window’ of the Canton Fair, the world has seen the tremendous vitality inherent in China’s economy and society, witnessed the remarkable journey in which the hundreds of millions of Chinese people have pressed forward, and felt the ever-deepening bonds between China and the world.
It is learned that more than 30,000 enterprises are participating in this edition of the Canton Fair, with about 340,000 overseas buyers attending for procurement.
In a video address at the opening ceremony of the 140th Canton Fair, World Trade Organization Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said that China has achieved tremendous development and presented rare opportunities to the world, and that the Canton Fair is an important platform connecting China with the world. Against the backdrop of mounting global uncertainty, she hopes all parties will jointly advance WTO reform and build an open, rules-based global trading system.
On September 24, Premier Li Qiang attended and addressed the launch ceremony of the fifth Global Digital Trade Expo held in Hangzhou.
At the launch ceremony, Li Qiang noted that the Global Digital Trade Expo has become an important platform for promoting global digital economy cooperation. It is important to advance the sound development of global trade in the digital era with an open mind … oppose bloc-based and exclusive arrangements, strive to find the greatest common ground, and build a fair and equitable economic and trade order. In developing artificial intelligence and other technologies, China stays committed to an open-source and open approach, putting up a “digital ladder” that every country can climb.
On September 17, Ding Xuexiang, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, attended and addressed the opening ceremony of the 23rd China–ASEAN Expo and the China–ASEAN Business and Investment Summit.
At the opening ceremony, Ding Xuexiang noted that the China–ASEAN Free Trade Area is an important vehicle for the two sides in building a community with a shared future. It is important to comprehensively elevate the level of regional opening-up … accelerate the building of an open, inclusive and rules-based large market of regional integration; stay firm in the confidence and resolve to join hands in meeting international economic and trade challenges, further broaden and deepen cooperation, and jointly safeguard the stability of regional and global industrial and supply chains.
According to the China Exhibition Industry Development Report 2025, released by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) in early 2026: In 2025, China held 4,095 economic and trade exhibitions each with an area of over 2,000 square meters, with a total exhibition area of 159 million square meters, up 6.53 percent and 2.5 percent year on year respectively, with both core indicators hitting record highs.