On the afternoon of 14 October, the opening ceremony of the 140th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) was held in Guangzhou. Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council, attended the ceremony and delivered a keynote speech.

Coinciding with the 70th anniversary of its founding, this session of the Canton Fair received a special congratulatory letter from President Xi Jinping. The letter fully recognised the achievements of the Canton Fair and reaffirmed China’s firm resolve to expand high-level opening-up. It noted that over the past 70 years since its inauguration, the Canton Fair has played a vital role in boosting trade between China and the rest of the world. It has grown into an effective platform for China to advance high-level opening-up and foster an open world economy. Under the new circumstances, China stands ready to work with all countries to safeguard the multilateral trading system, keep global industrial and supply chains stable and unimpeded, expand mutually beneficial international economic and trade cooperation, pursue inclusive economic globalisation, and continuously inject new impetus into global development and prosperity.

Premier Li Qiang pointed out that having weathered profound shifts in the international landscape, the Canton Fair continues to brim with fresh vitality, embodying plain yet profound insights. First, market connectivity is not a tool for gamesmanship but an effective means to create incremental growth. China is committed to integrating its domestic market deeper with international markets for shared growth and building an open world economy. Second, international trade is not merely figures on a ledger, but a voluntary choice to deliver greater wellbeing. As both a “super seller” and “super buyer”, China brings largely neighbour-benefiting and neighbour-enriching effects to all parties. Third, win-win cooperation is not one-sided compromise, but mutual empowerment that enables shared success. China will always be a trusted and reliable friend for developing countries, and is ready to forge ahead steadily with them on the path to modernisation. China will continue pursuing high-quality development, broaden high-level opening-up, share more market opportunities, expand mutually beneficial collaboration, firmly uphold international economic and trade order, and add greater momentum to the world economy.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization, stated in her video address that China has scored tremendous development achievements and offered rare opportunities for the world. The Canton Fair serves as an important bridge linking China with the globe. She hoped all stakeholders would jointly build an open, rule-based global trading system.

More than 700 representatives from nearly 90 countries and regions across various sectors attended the opening ceremony. As representatives of Hong Kong’s business community, Lin Long’an, President of the Greater Bay Area Importers and Exporters Association, and Chai Ngai, Honorary President of the Association, were invited to the ceremony. Together with representatives from all walks of life, they witnessed this major economic and trade event known as “China’s No.1 Exhibition” embark on a new journey for its 70th anniversary.