Fair: Business exchanges upgraded

Premier Li Qiang (front, center) poses for a group photo with representatives of overseas buyers and exhibitors in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, on Wednesday, before attending a symposium marking the 70th anniversary of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair. WANG ZHUANGFEI/CHINA DAILY

President Xi Jinping highlighted on Wednesday China's commitment to working with countries around the world to jointly uphold the multilateral trading system and ensure the stable and unimpeded operation of global industrial and supply chains.

Xi made the remarks in a congratulatory letter sent to the 140th edition of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, which opened in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, on Wednesday.

He commended the significant role of the Canton Fair in promoting trade exchanges between China and other countries since its establishment in 1957, saying that it has become an effective platform for China to expand high-standard opening-up and promote the building of an open world economy.

Xi said that under the new circumstances, China is willing to join hands with other countries to expand mutually beneficial international economic and trade cooperation and advance universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, in order to inject fresh momentum into global development and prosperity.

Co-hosted by the Ministry of Commerce and the People's Government of Guangdong Province, the fair runs through Nov 4, with more than 30,000 exhibitors and around 340,000 overseas buyers expected to attend.

It features products ranging from consumer electronics and new-type energy storage products, to embodied intelligence products and smart medical equipment, with many cutting-edge Chinese-made products making their debuts at the event, according to the Ministry of Commerce.