On 14 October 2026 in Guangzhou, Chinese Premier Li Qiang delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 140th China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, Xinhua reported via the Chinese government English site. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the fair. President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter affirming the fair's role and China's determination to expand high-standard opening up.
Li said China will continue to promote high-quality development and high-standard opening up, keep integrating the domestic market with the international market, and is willing to import more high-quality products, especially high-value-added goods. WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala delivered a video address. More than 700 representatives from nearly 90 countries and regions attended the ceremony.
Xinhua states this edition brought together more than 30,000 exhibiting companies and about 340,000 overseas buyers. Official Canton Fair schedules list Phase 1 on 15-19 October, Phase 2 on 23-27 October and Phase 3 on 31 October to 4 November 2026 at the China Import and Export Fair Complex in Guangzhou.