Canton Fair opens with new Buyers Alliance and GAC automotive showcase

The 140th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) commenced in Guangzhou, marking the 70th anniversary of the event. A key highlight of this edition is the official launch of the Canton Fair Buyers Alliance, a service innovation designed for Fortune Global 500 companies and major retailers. The inaugural cohort includes 58 companies representing 32 countries and regions across five continents, providing a platform for resource coordination and information sharing.

Automotive manufacturer GAC Group utilized the fair to demonstrate its transition from product exports to a systemic global expansion strategy. The company showcased several models, including the XT80, AION i60, and AISTALAND GX7, focusing on intelligent driving and electric vehicle ecosystems. GAC reported significant growth in overseas sales, reaching 197,000 units between January and September 2026, a 138.9% year-on-year increase, as it pursues an annual target of 300,000 units.

To coincide with the fair, Guangzhou has also completed an extensive lighting upgrade along a 13.2-kilometer stretch of the Pearl River. The project features 13,000 wall-washing lights, high-altitude beam lights, and 3D holographic imagery to enhance the city's nightscape for international visitors and residents.