China News reported from Guangzhou on 19 October 2026 that the first phase of the 140th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) ended that day. According to the fair's press center, 189,000 overseas buyers from 214 countries and regions attended phase one, up 13.3% from the same phase of the previous session.
The 140th session runs in three phases in Guangzhou from 15 October to 4 November. Phase one, themed 'Advanced Manufacturing', covered 520,000 square meters with more than 25,000 booths and over 12,000 exhibitors across five sectors and 19 exhibition zones: electronics and home appliances, industrial automation, lighting and electrical, hardware and tools, and new energy vehicles and smart mobility.
Phase one also featured 17 zones for emerging industries, including service robots, drones and display technology, reflecting buyer interest in new energy, smart manufacturing and embodied intelligence.
Phase two runs from 23 to 27 October and covers building materials, furniture, daily-use ceramics and home decor. Phase three runs from 31 October to 4 November and covers toys, maternity and baby products, apparel, food and smart healthcare.
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Canton Fair. Its exhibition area has grown from 9,600 square meters at the first session to 1.55 million square meters today, and buyer attendance has grown from about 1,200 to more than 300,000 this year, the report said.