History of the Canton Fair
Canton Fair through the years: a legacy of global trade and economic transformation, now in its 70th anniversary year
Explore HistoryThe historical significance of the Canton Fair
The Canton Fair, officially the China Import and Export Fair, is China's longest-running and most important trade exhibition. Established in 1957, this biannual event has grown from a modest gathering of international traders into the world's largest trade fair, serving as a barometer of China's economic health and a bridge connecting Chinese manufacturers with global markets.
What began as a platform to showcase agricultural products has become a comprehensive exhibition spanning tens of thousands of exhibitors across dozens of product categories. The fair's evolution mirrors China's transformation from an agrarian economy into the world's manufacturing base and, more recently, into a hub for advanced manufacturing, sustainable technology and artificial intelligence.
Its significance extends beyond commerce. The fair has played a role in China's diplomatic relations, particularly during periods of international isolation, and its shift into hybrid and AI-assisted formats since 2020 shows how the event continues to adapt to a changing global trade landscape.
Canton Fair by the numbers
69+
Years of history
Continually held since 1957, marking its 70th anniversary in 2026
314K
Record buyer attendance
Overseas buyers at the 139th session, spring 2026
USD 25.7B
Intended orders
On-site orders recorded at the 139th session
31K+
Exhibitors
Record participation across 50-plus categories
Canton Fair through the decades
Birth of the fair: historical era (1957 to 1978)
April 1957: inception
The first Chinese Export Commodities Fair, later renamed the Canton Fair, opened in the Sino-Soviet Friendship Building with just 1,223 attendees from 19 countries. Primarily showcasing agricultural products, this modest beginning grew into China's most important trade event.
1958 to 1959: early growth
The fair quickly outgrew its original venue, moving first to the Qiaoguang Road Exhibition Hall, then to the Qiyi Road Exhibition Hall, which offered two and a half times more space. This rapid expansion reflected China's growing engagement with international trade despite political challenges.
1973: economic dominance
At its peak during this era, the Canton Fair accounted for roughly fifty percent of China's national foreign trade exchange, cementing its role as the country's primary window to the global economy during years of relative isolation.
1974: Liuhua Complex
The fair moved to its longest-serving venue, the purpose-built Liuhua Exhibition Centre, a facility able to accommodate the fair's growing scale as China's industrial capacity expanded.
The modern Guangzhou skyline stands in contrast to the fair's humble beginnings, symbolising China's economic transformation
The Canton Tower symbolises Guangzhou's modernisation and global aspirations during the reform era
Opening and reform: economic expansion (1979 to 2000)
1979: a new era
With Deng Xiaoping's economic reforms, the Canton Fair entered a new phase. Private companies began exhibiting alongside state-owned enterprises, and the fair's organisation was delegated to a state-sponsored corporation, marking the start of market-oriented reform.
1980s: modernisation
The fair underwent significant administrative reform and facility upgrades to keep pace with China's growing manufacturing sector, reorganising exhibition space to showcase an expanding range of industrial and consumer goods.
1999: digital transition
Recognising the internet's potential, the Canton Fair launched its first website and established an intellectual property rights complaints station, reflecting China's growing engagement with international trade norms.
Internationalisation: post-WTO era (2001 to 2019)
2001: WTO membership
China's accession to the World Trade Organization marked a new chapter for the fair. It opened to foreign exhibiting companies and expanded into the new Pazhou Complex, reflecting China's full integration into the global trading system.
2003: SARS challenge
The spring 2003 session saw foreign visitor numbers fall to 23,128 due to the SARS outbreak. In response, the fair introduced Canton Fair Online, marking the start of a digital transformation that would prove crucial two decades later.
2006: rebranding
Reflecting China's evolving trade position, the fair was renamed from China Export Commodities Fair to China Import and Export Fair, acknowledging its growing role as both exporter and importer.
2012: attendance record
The fair was reorganised into three phases across 50 specialised sectors. Onsite attendance peaked at around 210,000 visitors in 2012, a record that stood for a decade and cemented the fair's position as the world's largest trade exhibition.
The illuminated Canton Tower represents Guangzhou's emergence as a global city during China's WTO era
Zhujiang New Town's skyline reflects Guangzhou's continued economic transformation through the pandemic recovery
The show goes online: pandemic era (2020 to 2023)
2020: pandemic response
The COVID-19 pandemic forced the fair to go fully online for the first time in its history. Virtual exhibitions could not fully replicate the in-person experience, but they kept trade connections open during global lockdowns.
2021: hybrid model
As restrictions eased, the fair adopted a hybrid format combining in-person and online participation. The Pazhou Complex expanded with Area D, increasing exhibition space by around 40 percent.
2023: recovery and new dynamics
In-person attendance recovered strongly, with the spring and autumn sessions each drawing well over a hundred thousand onsite buyers alongside hundreds of thousands more online. Participation broadened, with a growing share of buyers from Asia, Africa, Russia and the Middle East.
AI-driven global trade era (2024 to present)
2024: record buyer numbers
The 136th session drew a record 253,000 overseas buyers from 214 countries and regions, passing the 250,000 mark for the first time. More than 30,000 exhibiting companies took part, with strong growth in buyers from Europe and North America alongside Belt and Road markets.
2025: sustained growth
The 137th and 138th sessions built on 2024's momentum, with continued gains in exhibitor numbers, innovative and sustainable product categories, and steady overseas buyer attendance across both the spring and autumn sessions.
Spring 2026: the 139th session and ASKME
The 139th Canton Fair, held April 15 to May 5, 2026 during the first year of China's 15th Five-Year Plan, welcomed a record 314,000 overseas buyers from 220 countries and regions. The fair's AI assistant, ASKME, was fully upgraded into a 24/7 planning and on-site support tool, paired with booth-level navigation across 25 exhibition halls. On-site intended orders reached roughly USD 25.7 billion.
Autumn 2026: the 140th session and 70th anniversary
The 140th Canton Fair is scheduled for October 15 to November 4, 2026 in Guangzhou, marking the fair's 70th anniversary since its founding in 1957, a milestone in the ongoing story of China's foreign trade.
The modern Guangzhou Stadium reflects the city's capacity to host world-class events, much like the Canton Fair
Canton Fair Museum
Located on the ground floor of the administration building within the Pazhou Complex, the Canton Fair Museum takes visitors through the fair's history with interactive exhibits, rare artefacts, historical photographs and multimedia displays tracing its growth from a modest agricultural showcase to the world's largest trade fair.
Highlights include replicas of early exhibition booths, displays of landmark products that debuted at the fair, and a digital timeline connecting the fair's development to China's wider economic story. The museum also runs temporary exhibitions tied to specific themes or anniversaries, including features planned around the fair's 70th anniversary in 2026.
Experience the legacy of global trade
The Canton Fair's journey from a small trade exhibition to the world's largest, AI-assisted trade fair mirrors China's own economic transformation. As it marks its 70th anniversary in 2026, the fair remains a vital platform for international commerce and a testament to China's enduring role in global trade.
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