Published by ChinaMNC ยท Hongjiang
Canton Fair 140th Session Opens: What Foreign Founders Need to Know
The 140th Canton Fair opened in Guangzhou on October 15 with about 32,000 exhibitors and roughly 340,000 overseas buyers. Here is what foreign founders should note about the sourcing and manufacturing signals from the first phase.
140th Canton Fair Opens in Guangzhou
The 140th session of the China Import and Export Fair, widely known as the Canton Fair, opened in Guangzhou on October 15, according to the Hunan provincial government portal. For foreign founders building or sourcing products in China, the fair's scale and structure offer a useful read on where Chinese manufacturing and export capabilities are heading.
About 32,000 companies are exhibiting across the full session, and roughly 340,000 overseas buyers are expected to attend for procurement, the source states. Those numbers matter for founders planning supplier visits, product development trips, or market entry timelines around the fair calendar.
Phase One Focuses on Advanced Manufacturing
The first phase is themed "advanced manufacturing." More than 12,000 companies are exhibiting in this phase, including over 6,000 quality exhibitors described as high-tech enterprises, specialized and sophisticated ("little giant") firms, and single-category champions, according to the source.
For foreign founders, this concentration is worth noting when scouting contract manufacturers or technology partners. The presence of specialized and champion-tier firms in one venue can shorten supplier shortlisting, though founders should still conduct their own due diligence on any potential partner.
What the First Phase Showcases
Phase one is organized around what the source calls the "new, green, and smart" development trends. It focuses on global procurement hot spots including new energy, smart manufacturing, and embodied intelligence.
The exhibition sets up 17 specialized zones for emerging future industries, covering areas such as service robots, drones, and display technology. It also gathers outcomes in new productive forces, including new energy storage, high-end chips, and AI visualization products, according to the source.
Trade Services Cover Ten Categories
In the trade services area, nine trade service zones are organized around producer services. The source states this is the first time all ten major categories of producer services are covered at the fair.
This matters for founders who need more than a factory: logistics, certification, design, and other service inputs often determine whether a China-based operation runs smoothly. Having these categories represented in one place can make early-stage supplier and service-provider meetings more efficient.
Fair Schedule and New Product Launches
The 140th Canton Fair runs from October 15 to November 4 in three phases. More than 700 new product launch events are planned, and the number of products released is up 15 percent, according to the source.
The session also features a dedicated new product launch display area for the first time. Founders tracking product trends or looking for differentiated suppliers may find these launches useful for benchmarking what Chinese manufacturers are bringing to export markets.
Practical Takeaways for Foreign Founders
- Supplier scouting: Phase one's advanced manufacturing focus gathers over 12,000 exhibitors, including more than 6,000 quality-tier firms, giving founders a concentrated pool for initial supplier meetings.
- Emerging categories: The 17 future-industry zones cover service robots, drones, and display technology, which may suit founders in hardware, robotics, or smart-device verticals.
- Service infrastructure: The trade services area's nine zones and full coverage of ten producer service categories can help founders line up logistics, certification, and related support.
- Timing: The three-phase schedule from October 15 to November 4 allows founders to plan visits around the product categories most relevant to their business.
Founders should treat fair attendance as a starting point. Supplier meetings, sample evaluation, and verification of business licenses and export qualifications remain essential steps before committing to manufacturing or distribution arrangements in China.
Why the Fair Matters for China Market Entry
The Canton Fair is a long-running trade event, and its 140th session reflects the breadth of China's export manufacturing base. For foreign founders registering a company in China or setting up sourcing operations, the fair provides a concentrated view of supplier capabilities across advanced manufacturing, new energy, and smart products.
The source does not provide details on registration procedures, visa arrangements, or business matching services, so founders should confirm those logistics through official fair channels. Similarly, any decisions about establishing a wholly foreign-owned enterprise, a joint venture, or a representative office should be based on professional advice specific to the founder's situation.
Next Steps
Foreign founders planning to attend or follow the 140th Canton Fair can use its phase structure and specialized zones to prioritize meetings. Those considering a longer-term presence in China may combine fair attendance with early-stage company registration and compliance planning.
Foreign founders can contact ChinaMNC on WhatsApp / WeChat at +86 153 1898 8535 for help registering and operating a company in China.
This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.