The 139th China Import and Export Fair, commonly known as the Canton Fair, showcased a wave of "new, green, and smart" products during its three-phase run in Guangzhou from April 15 to May 5. Among the highlights were tethered floating lights capable of 24-hour illumination, AI-powered smart mirrors for instant virtual outfit changes, and ultra-thin, high-definition transparent displays.
Innovation stood out as the central theme of this year's event. The fair reached a record scale, hosting over 32,000 exhibiting companies, including approximately 3,900 first-time participants. The exhibition layout was strategically organized around the "new, green, and smart" trends, introducing nine new specialized zones for the first time. These additions, covering areas like smart wearables, display technology, and consumer and agricultural drones, brought the total number of specialized zones to 179, precisely aligning with the evolving needs of the global supply chain.
The drone zone attracted significant attention with eye-catching products such as micro unmanned helicopters and uniquely designed twin-rotor drones. These exhibits highlighted breakthroughs in critical technologies, including flight control systems, communication and navigation, AI-based obstacle avoidance, and new energy power systems. The booth of Guangzhou Chengzhi Intelligent Machine Technology Co., a first-time exhibitor, was bustling with activity. International buyers were seen inquiring about technical specifications and examining the drones firsthand. One overseas purchaser mentioned having researched the company's products beforehand and visiting specifically to explore potential collaborations. The company's CZ100 tethered floating light, making its debut at the fair, drew crowds. Vice President Zhang Kai explained that the product innovatively integrates lighting directly onto the drone's arms, achieving a lightweight design with reduced energy consumption. Paired with a high-voltage power platform, it enables continuous 24-hour operation, offering a reliable lighting solution for emergency response scenarios.
Many returning exhibitors also presented new offerings. KTC, participating for the 52nd time, showcased its products in the newly established display technology zone. The company's Marketing Director, Gao Xin, noted that the new zone benefits the industry by concentrating relevant buyers and providing an enhanced exhibition environment. Reflecting the fair's constant evolution towards intelligence, KTC is itself transitioning from a traditional display manufacturer to a smart technology brand. Its display of innovative interactive products included portable monitors, AI glasses, and AI electronic whiteboards. An AI smart mirror was a particular crowd-puller, allowing users to take a photo and then virtually try on different tops and bottoms with a single button press. One international buyer was observed trying on multiple outfits in quick succession through the mirror. A staff member demonstrated that the product has applications both for home use and commercial settings, such as assisting boutique buyers with efficient virtual try-ons of new collections.
The smart wearables zone featured an array of products like adaptive noise-canceling headphones, smartwatches, and AI glasses. In the smart terminal sector, Inspur Group's smart terminal division presented a diverse range of items, including transparent screens, integrated photovoltaic storage and charging systems, and cleaning robots. An OLED transparent screen, less than one centimeter thick, garnered particular interest for its high light transmittance and ultra-thin flexible design, which seamlessly blends displayed content with the background. An overseas buyer was heard expressing admiration while touching the soft, lightweight screen. Booth manager Liu Hua reported that the company's smart terminal products already serve over 50 countries and regions. As a regular participant at the Canton Fair, the company noted follow-up orders from existing clients and scheduled meetings with new prospects. Liu Hua emphasized that while some products may be common in China, they remain novel overseas, and the fair serves as an open, cutting-edge platform to showcase more "Intelligent Manufacturing from China" to the world.
Data indicates that the new specialized zones featured approximately 670 companies across more than 1,300 booths. The convergence of new themes, new companies, and new products at the fair collectively demonstrated the fresh momentum within Chinese manufacturing. By providing an efficient connection platform, the Canton Fair continues to build a bridge for mutually beneficial cooperation between Chinese and international enterprises.