The 25th China (Yangjiang) International Hardware Knives and Scissors Fair kicks off on Tuesday in Yangjiang, Guangdong province. [Photo by Zheng Caixiong/for chinadaily.com.cn]

The 25th China (Yangjiang) International Hardware Knives and Scissors Fair kicked off on Tuesday in Yangjiang, Guangdong province, with nearly 600 booths and 229 exhibitor enterprises, both record figures.

This year's session of the three-day event aims to further boost economic ties between the coastal city, RCEP members, and countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative. To this end, a dedicated pavilion catering to the BRI, RCEP, and APEC has been set up to demonstrate Yangjiang's hardware, knife, and scissors products to international markets, including Southeast Asia, Oceania, and the Americas, organizers said.

The Yangjiang city government expects the fair to deepen business exchanges and cooperation with the rest of the world and drive opening-up and economic development in the mountainous areas in western Guangdong.

Yangjiang has a history of more than 1,400 years of knives and scissors production. It has formed a large-scale industrial cluster with a complete industrial chain and diverse product categories. According to official statistics, Yangjiang's annual hardware, knives, and scissors exports have exceeded 80 billion yuan ($12 billion), representing 85 percent of the country's industry total. Its products are sold to more than 160 countries and regions.

Since its launch in 2002, the fair has attracted more than one million visiting merchants, with a cumulative transaction volume of 4 billion yuan.