2025 Canton Fair: A New Engine for Global Trade, China’s Smart Manufacturing Reimagined​

The 137th Canton Fair (April 15 - May 5) is currently underway in Guangzhou, serving as the world’s largest trade event. Themed around "Advanced Manufacturing," "Quality Home Furnishings," and "Better Life," this edition attracted over 220,000 overseas buyers from 219 countries and regions, hitting a record high for the same period. Below are the core highlights and trends from this year’s fair:

I. Green Technology and Smart Products Dominate as "Blockbusters"

• Green Low-Carbon Leads the Trend: 56% of exhibitors hold green patents, 63.5% have passed international green certifications, and over 1.04 million green products were displayed. For example, Gree’s eco-friendly refrigerant air conditioners equipped with G-AI Technology 2.0 offer 15%-20% energy savings, while Lanke Yitang’s solar energy storage system saw over 20% growth in the African market.

• Smart Tech Reshapes Industry Landscape: The inaugural service robot zone featured iFLYTEK’s VIAS robot, boosting automotive smart cockpit testing efficiency by 10x. XAG’s agricultural drones automated the entire farming process (plowing, planting, management, harvesting). Household appliance giant Galanz leveraged digitized production to rapidly meet global demand, with microwave oven orders surging 40%.

II. Hybrid Online-Offline Model Enhances Global Procurement Efficiency

• Offline Exhibitions Enable Precision Matchmaking: Of 30,000 exhibitors, over 9,700 were high-tech enterprises (20% more than last year), showcasing the "new three categories" (new energy vehicles, lithium batteries, solar products) and smart home solutions. Dongtie Chain Factory recorded $5 million in on-site deals, with five buyers scheduling factory visits.

• Online Platform Operates Around the Clock: The Canton Fair app saw 148,000 downloads, featuring new VR factory tours and 3D product displays. Buyers from 229 countries/regions participated online. The cross-border e-commerce zone attracted 150 companies, aiding SMEs’ global expansion.

III. Unveiling Global Consumption Trends

• Personalized Customization and Design Innovation: Foshan Jianmei Aluminum’s smart doors/windows, supporting modular customization, secured three buyers on Day 1. Microstone Culture’s "Journey to the West" IP series clinched Southeast Asian orders.

• Cross-Border E-Commerce Drives Growth: 226 multinational corporations like Walmart and Auchan set up procurement stations, with Indonesia’s Changyou Group sourcing 80% of suppliers from the Canton Fair. Cross-border e-commerce data shows orders for eco-friendly kitchenware and smart home products surged over 70%.

IV. China’s Foreign Trade "Barometer" Signals Positive Momentum

The fair’s booming attendance and order growth reflect global confidence in China’s supply chain. Ministry of Commerce data reveals 58.8% of enterprises secured orders via digital means, while the trade services zone hosted over 30 providers aiding digital transformation. As Brazilian buyer André noted: "Chinese firms are shifting from ‘meeting demand’ to ‘creating demand’—this is the future of global trade."

Conclusion: The 2025 Canton Fair is not just a trade stage but a microcosm of China’s smart manufacturing deepening integration with global markets. New momentum from green, smart, and digital advancements is propelling "Made in China" toward the higher end of the global value chain. Follow the Canton Fair to seize new opportunities in global trade!