Canton Fair sees record attendance as global buyers back China's market with orders
On April 15th, the 137th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) opened at the Pazhou International Convention and Exhibition Center in Guangzhou. Despite pressure from increasing US tariffs on Chinese goods, buyers from over 220 countries and regions still arrived as scheduled. A total of 31,000 companies brought new products to the exhibition. As of 5:00 PM that day, 64,530 overseas buyers had attended in person, a year-on-year increase of 8.9% and the highest attendance for the same period in the fair's history.
Interior of the Canton Fair venue on the morning of April 15th
While imposing additional tariffs has introduced "uncertainty," the stability of China's policies and products has provided overseas buyers with reassurance. Clara, a first-time visitor from Brazil, praised the scale of the fair and the irreplaceability of the products. Kevin, a buyer from Canada, came to explore alternatives to US goods and was deeply impressed by China's advanced robotics. China's manufacturing has evolved from being "price-driven and irreplaceable" to "technology-driven and indispensable," undermining US attempts to sideline China.
A buyer experiences a robot making coffee in the Service Robots Zone of the 137th Canton Fairon April 15th (Photoby XinhuaNews)
In response to US market volatility, Chinese exporters are pursuing diversified strategies. First, they are "trading technology for market share". Companies such as Haier Smart Home and Chigo showcased AI-enabled and high-performance products, attracting a large volume of overseas orders. The coffee robot from HangzhouYile Shangyun, with a high rate of localized core components, has already received 200 orders. Second, firms are "localizing production to offset tariff costs." For example, Hisense has established a dual China and international layout, with numerous R&D centers and manufacturing bases overseas to balance production demands.
Business visitors interact with a robot
The logistics section has been visibly affected by tariff-related challenges such as rising shipping costs and customs uncertainties, leading some clients to adopt a wait-and-see attitude. Nevertheless, other firms have seized the opportunity to expand into new markets. Shipments to Europe and the Middle East have surged. Despite pressure from US tariffs, Ningbo-based LAMO Electrical Appliance Group has cut costs and tapped into emerging markets, with a particular focus on expanding in the Middle East.
Robot Dog Go2 by Unitree Robotics
Even as global supply chains undergo restructuring, China's central position in sectors like consumer electronics and new energy is rising rather than declining. In fact, 50% of surveyed US companies rank China as their top or one of their top three global investment destinations. Over the years, the Canton Fair has witnessed the evolution of China's exports—from tea and silk to handicrafts, and now to smart home devices and AI-powered robots. What remains constant is the law of the market. 31,000 exhibitors and buyers from 220 countries and regions cast their votes with orders: China's market cannot be replaced.
Source: Lingnan on the Cloud
广交会到会人数创历史同期新高，全球商界用订单投票中国市场
4月15日，第137届广交会在广州琶洲会展中心开幕。尽管面临美国对华加征关税的冲击，全球超220个国家和地区的采购商仍如期而至，3.1万家企业携新品亮相，截至当日17时，境外采购商累计线下参会64530人，同比增长8.9%，人数创历史同期新高。
加征关税带来“不确定性”，但中国政府的确定性和中国企业产品的稳定性，成为采购商继续合作的“定心丸”。巴西“新兵”Clara称赞广交会规模大、产品不可替代；加拿大的Kevin来寻找替代美国产品的方案，被中国机器人技术折服。中国制造已从“低价不可替代”进阶为“技术难以取代”，让美国“架空中国”算盘落空。
面对美国市场波动，中国外贸企业多元破局。一是“以技术换市场”，海尔智家、志高空调等企业携AI科技、硬核产品参展，收获大量海外订单。杭州以勒上云的机械臂咖啡师，核心控制器国产化率高，已获200台订单。二是“以本土化对冲关税”，海信通过国内外双边布局，在海外拥有众多研发中心和生产基地，能平衡产能要求。
物流展区受关税影响明显，运费上涨、关税变动，部分客户观望。但也有企业借此开拓新市场，发往欧洲和中东业务增长迅速。宁波浪木电器虽受美国关税冲击，但通过优化成本、开拓新兴市场破局，着力开拓中东市场。
尽管全球供应链重构，中国在消费电子、新能源等领域中心地位不降反升，50%受访美国企业将中国列为全球首选或前三位投资目的地。广交会见证了从茶叶丝绸到手工艺品，再到智能家居、AI机器人的展品变迁，不变的是市场规律。3.1万家参展企业、220个国家和地区的采购商，用订单表明：中国市场，无法替代。
文｜记者 孙绮曼 杭莹 严锦程
图｜记者 钟振彬 邓鼎园
翻译 | 曾敏
审校 | 肖凯欣