The China Import and Export Fair, China's largest trade fair, kicks off its 125th edition in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province, on April 15.

Also known as the 125th Canton Fair, the event will be held in three phases and runs from April 15 to May 5 at the China Import and Export Fair Complex in Pazhou Island in the southern Chinese city.

Visitors check out a variety of products at the 125th Canton Fair. [Photo/Xinhua]

Nearly 650 companies from 38 countries and regions will participate in this year's Canton Fair. Both figures are larger than the 124th event.

The enterprises from countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative make up the main part of overseas exhibitors, as 383 companies from 21 countries and regions will participate, 60 percent of the total of all participating exhibitors.

An exhibitor introduces his product to an overseas buyer the Canton Fair Complex. [Photo/Xinhua]

Digitalization is one of the highlights of this year's fair, according to insiders. The fair will continue to promote the construction of a smart Canton Fair and accelerate the digital transformation of the Canton Fair by means of introducing an online transaction statistics function, in which exhibitors can report their daily transaction through WeChat. Face recognition technology was equipped to make it easier to enter the venue.

The import exhibition will be held in the first and third phases, with 1,000 booths booked by 650 enterprises from 38 countries and regions. The first phase of the import exhibition has 616 booths displaying electronics and home appliances, building materials, and hardware and mechanical equipment. There will be 384 booths in the third phase, mainly displaying food and beverage products, household goods, fabrics, and home textiles.

Overseas buyers communicate with an exhibitor at the 125th Canton Fair. [Photo/Xinhua]

The 125th Canton Fair has been promoted globally through six internationally renowned social media platforms and search engines, including Facebook and LinkedIn. Special promotional activities have been hosted in 21 countries and regions around the world, while 19 video business promotion events were held in 18 countries including the United States, as well as countries from the European Union and along the Belt and Road.

Smart robots give a dance performance at a booth during the 125th Canton Fair. [Photo/Xinhua]