The promotion fair for the 130th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) is held in Guangzhou on Sept 7. [Photo by Su Junjie/Guangzhou Daily]

The promotion fair for the 130th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) was held in Guangzhou on Sept 7.

The 130th Canton Fair, to commence in Haizhu district on Oct 15, will be the first of its kind to be held both online and on-site. The fair's previous three events were only held online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The 130th Canton Fair will set up 51 exhibition areas for 16 categories of products, attracting more than 25,000 high-quality suppliers from both home and abroad to participate in the event.

The on-site exhibition area is set to reach 400,000 square meters and the number of exhibitors and purchasers attending the on-site exhibition is estimated to reach around 300,000. 

The online exhibition will set up three major platforms, each for exhibition, matchmaking and cross-border e-commerce. 

"We have invited purchasers, agents and branches of transnational companies in China, cross-border e-commerce companies as well as domestic purchasers to attend the event," said Zhang Jingdong, head of the Commerce Department of Guangdong Province.

The first Pearl River global trade forum will be held during the 130th Canton Fair, inviting global experts in trade, economy and finance to deliver keynote speeches. Special exhibition areas featuring rural revitalization will be set up both online and on-site, allowing companies from areas which have just overcome poverty to showcase their products.