Core Points - The 138th Canton Fair will be held from October 15 to November 4 in Guangzhou, showcasing new highlights and improved preparations compared to previous editions [1] Group 1: Registration and Services - The registration process has been upgraded to enhance convenience for international buyers, featuring 100 self-service registration machines and 312 upgraded self-service windows, doubling the speed of certificate issuance [2][3] - The new registration system allows for QR code certificates, reducing the average certificate production time to 30 seconds, a sixfold improvement [3] - The fair has introduced remote registration points at key locations such as airports and hotels, creating a dual registration network [2] Group 2: Navigation and Technology - The fair has implemented a comprehensive smart navigation service, allowing for precise guidance from the venue to specific booths using a combination of Bluetooth, Beidou, and 5G technology [4] - The Canton Fair app now features indoor real-time navigation, enabling attendees to generate optimal walking routes to their desired booths [4] - An AI exhibition assistant has been introduced to help attendees with navigation and product searches, enhancing the overall experience [5] Group 3: Exhibition Setup - The fair is trialing modular exhibition booth setups to address environmental, efficiency, and safety challenges, allowing for quick assembly using standardized components [7] - As of October 11, 1,632 exhibitors have been connected, with 81 special exhibition booths signed, covering a total of 1,593 square meters [7] Group 4: Cultural Events - The music and food festival at the fair, themed "Food in Guangzhou, Taste the National Games," will feature renowned Cantonese cuisine and cultural performances, promoting local culinary heritage [8] - The event will include interactive experiences and promotional activities for attendees, enhancing the cultural engagement aspect of the fair [8] Group 5: Awards and Innovations - The fair will host the CF Design Innovation Awards, with a record 3,210 products submitted, marking a 38.5% increase from the previous year [9] - Notably, green and smart products have seen significant growth in submissions, with green products up by 37% and smart products by 30% compared to last year [9]

Core Viewpoint - The 138th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) emphasizes enhanced financial services, technological integration, and improved overall service experience for exhibitors and buyers [1][3][5]. Group 1: Financial Services and Payment Options - The fair offers multiple payment methods including foreign card transactions, digital RMB, mobile payments, and cash, along with convenient currency exchange services [1]. - A new departure tax refund service point has been established, allowing shoppers to process refunds at the fair and at nearly a thousand tax refund stores in Guangzhou [1]. Group 2: Technological Enhancements - The fair utilizes advanced technologies such as Bluetooth, Beidou, and 5G for real-time navigation, aiming to resolve difficulties in locating exhibition booths [3]. - The Canton Fair APP has been optimized to enhance one-stop procurement efficiency, expanding its functionalities to 24 features, including product attribute filtering and short video selection [5]. - AI-assisted image review has been introduced, achieving an accuracy rate exceeding 80% in booth design approvals [5]. Group 3: Service Improvements - The fair has increased its catering capacity to over 110,000 meals daily, offering 300 different dishes with a 20% update rate, including international flavors from Southeast Asia and the Middle East [6]. - Translation services have been enhanced with 400 translation machines available for rent and a team of 100 professional translators on-site [6]. - Transportation organization has been optimized, including a daily ticket service in collaboration with Guangzhou Metro and improved shuttle bus routes to alleviate traffic pressure around the venue [6].

Core Insights - The 137th Canton Fair is being held from April 15 to May 5 in Guangzhou, with a focus on promoting trade innovation and achieving stable and high-quality foreign trade in the final year of China's 14th Five-Year Plan [1] Group 1: Exhibition Scale and Participation - The total exhibition area is 1.55 million square meters, with approximately 74,000 booths and around 31,000 participating companies [1] - The number of booths for export exhibitions is nearly 73,000, with first-time participation of over 30,000 companies, an increase of nearly 900 from the previous session [1] - The import exhibition features about 1,600 booths from 736 companies across 50 countries and regions, remaining stable compared to the last session [1] Group 2: Exhibition Themes and Quality - The fair is divided into three phases with themes of "Advanced Manufacturing," "Quality Home Furnishings," and "Better Life," featuring 55 exhibition areas and 172 product zones [2] - New initiatives have been introduced to improve the quality of participating companies, with over 4,200 new exhibitors and a 20% increase in companies recognized as national high-tech or specialized "little giants" [2] - Approximately 3,700 companies related to "new three samples," digital technology, and intelligent manufacturing are participating, along with over 17,000 companies with their own brands [2] Group 3: Marketing and Online Platform Enhancements - The fair emphasizes marketing efforts targeting key markets such as the Belt and Road Initiative, RCEP, and Europe and the United States, with various promotional activities to diversify the sources of buyers [3] - The Canton Fair APP has been well-received, with 148,000 downloads, and will be upgraded to provide more precise services for buyers and suppliers [3] - Over 1,000 trade promotion activities will be held, including industry conferences, new product launches, and a series of trade promotion events [3]