Advanced manufacturing

The ongoing 123rd Canton Fair displays a total of 2,250 booths from 544 Guangzhou-based enterprises. According to an official of the GMCC, Guangzhou-based enterprises appear in every export exhibition area at the fair, representing a complete industrial chain and the advanced manufacturing level that the city possesses. A total of 257 Guangzhou-based enterprises participated in the first phase of the fair, which features electronics & household electrical appliances, lighting equipment, machinery, energy, building materials, vehicles & spare parts, among others.

Over 80 percent of the exhibitors are private companies, which reflect the vitality of Guangzhou's economy and its business-friendly environment.

In recent years, a series of major projects in the intelligent manufacturing industry have chosen to settle in Guangzhou. The Guangzhou municipal government utilizes the Canton Fair to showcase local manufacturers. For example, the "Guangzhou Intelligent Manufacturing Exhibition Area" was arranged for the 121st Canton Fair, displaying 16 local manufacturers including Ehang and CEI.

Internet industry

Pazhou Island is not only the core area of Guangzhou's exhibition economy but also an internet innovation concentration zone. In 2014, Pazhou community in Haizhu district was officially confirmed to become the headquarters of e-commerce businesses.

"The Canton Fair continues to promote e-commerce, as internet plus exhibitions could build a new economy," said Peng Peng, a researcher at the Guangzhou Academy of Social Sciences.

The internet innovation concentration zone takes up an area of 370,000 square meters and a building area of 3.2 million square meters. Tencent, Alibaba, Fosun, Gome, Xiaomi and many other renowned companies have already secured spaces in the demonstration area within the zone.

The 123rd Canton Fair is crowded with visitors on April 15. [Photo/Xinhua]