Chinese Export Commodities Fair, also called Canton Fair, inaugurated in the Spring of 1957, is held twice a year in Spring and Autumn. It is China's largest trade fair, a fair of the highest level, and of the largest business turnover. Preserving its traditions, the Fair is a comprehensive and multi-functional event of international importance. Forty-six Trading Delegations, being composed of thousands of China's best foreign trade corporations (enterprises) with good credibility and sound financial capabilities, take part in the Fair. The Fair leans to export trade, though import business is also done here. Apart from the above-mentioned, various types of business activities such as economic and technical cooperations and exchanges, commodity inspection, insurance, transportation, advertising, consultation, etc. are also carried out in flexible ways. Business people from all over the world are gathering in Guangzhou, exchanging business information and developing friendship.
The then exhibition space was as insignificant as 18, 000 square metres, and the participating Trading Delegation numbered 13 only, the varieties of commodities on display numbering little more than 12, 000. That particular Fair was attended by 1, 223 business people from 19 countries and regions of the world, and the business turnover was an insignificant sum of US$ 17.54 million. Today, the Fair's exhibition space is as ample as 160, 000 square metres, with 47 Trading Delegations and more than 4, 000 foreign trade enterprises taking part in. On display are more than 100, 000 kinds of Chinese products for export. Attended by over 80,000 business people from over 170 countries and regions of the whole world, each Session of the Canton Fair concludes so much export business as US$ 10 billion and upwards. At the present stage of development of history, the Canton Fair has already evolved into a venue of international trade of world significance, comprehensive and multi-functional. Of all the China-staged fairs at home, the Canton Fair is the largest in scale, highest in level and best in result.

The then exhibition space was as insignificant as 18, 000 square metres, and the participating Trading Delegation numbered 13 only, the varieties of commodities on display numbering little more than 12, 000. That particular Fair was attended by 1, 223 business people from 19 countries and regions of the world, and the business turnover was an insignificant sum of US$ 17.54 million. Today, the Fair's exhibition space is as ample as 160, 000 square metres, with 47 Trading Delegations and more than 4, 000 foreign trade enterprises taking part in. On display are more than 100, 000 kinds of Chinese products for export. Attended by over 80,000 business people from over 170 countries and regions of the whole world, each Session of the Canton Fair concludes so much export business as US$ 10 billion and upwards. At the present stage of development of history, the Canton Fair has already evolved into a venue of international trade of world significance, comprehensive and multi-functional. Of all the China-staged fairs at home, the Canton Fair is the largest in scale, highest in level and best in result.