According to an announcement from the Guangzhou municipal bureau of commerce on April 10, the 139th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) is set to open in Guangzhou on April 15. As the capital city of Guangdong province, Guangzhou has rolled out a series of facilitation measures to streamline procedures and enhance the experience of overseas exhibitors and business visitors, covering entry customs clearance, transportation, payment and settlement, and urban services.

The Canton Fair has launched an exclusive identity for "Long‑time Canton Fair Partners," introduced year‑round regular pre‑registration for the first time, and accelerated the development of a membership points system and a buyers alliance. It has also released the Canton Fair Buyers E‑Journal for the first time, reaching 810,000 buyers at home and abroad with targeted outreach.

Up to now, the number of pre-registered buyers has exceeded 210,000, a year-on-year increase of 20 percent. Among them, the proportion of professional buyers has exceeded 70 percent for the first time, marking a significant rise in the professionalism of participants. A total of 290 leading purchasing enterprises in various industries have confirmed their attendance, representing a year-on-year growth of 30 percent.

Dedicated channels with multilingual support will be available at airports and passenger ports. Visa-free transit and port visa services are also provided to facilitate entry procedures.

During the fair, transportation capacity will be enhanced with increased metro services, more taxis and ride-hailing vehicles, and shuttle buses connecting the exhibition venue to major wholesale markets. At least 2,000 taxis and ride-hailing cars will be deployed daily to ensure smooth travel around the venue. Traffic management will also be strengthened to reduce congestion and improve parking and accessibility.

Payment services across Guangzhou have been comprehensively upgraded. More than 15,000 local merchants accept international bank cards, and nearly 400 metro stations support contactless entry using overseas bank cards.

Currency exchange services are available at ports, hotels, exhibition venues and metro stations, complemented by diverse payment methods such as E-Payments, cash and foreign currency transactions.

A dedicated international service zone has been launched on the "OneStop" WeChat Mini Program, integrating transportation, payment and daily life services in one place.

A food carnival will be held during the 139th Canton Fair. [Photo/WeChat account: GZWS411665430]

Beyond logistics support, Guangzhou also provides a rich selection of dining, shopping and cultural experiences.

Inside the fair venue, a food carnival will be held, featuring more than 30 local food brands and a wide variety of Cantonese and international cuisines. Outside the venue, citywide dining promotions will be launched, together with coffee-themed events showcasing over 200 domestic and international brands.

A variety of retail products, including local specialties and cultural goods, will be displayed both at the exhibition and across the city. Under the "Fair 2 City" initiative, participants can enjoy shopping discounts at more than 2,500 stores in Guangzhou along three themed routes, with international bank cards accepted for payment.

During the fair, the city will also stage river cruises, light shows, live performances and sports events to further enrich visitors' overall experience.

Guangzhou is further enhancing services to boost business matchmaking. International buyers will be invited to visit local manufacturers and industrial platforms to gain in-depth insights into production capacities and supply chains. More than 10 free shuttle routes will be launched, linking the exhibition venue directly with major wholesale markets across the city. Service centers established at key wholesale markets will offer foreign buyers comprehensive support including translation, legal consultation and transaction settlement.

In addition, a matchmaking event connecting global buyers with Guangzhou's key wholesale markets will be held on April 28 to further advance trade and investment collaboration.