Life of Guangzhou - The 102nd Canton Fair Kicks Off with New Logo

The 102nd session of China Import and Export Fair (CIEF) opened today with a new logo.

New Logo

The new logo, designed by a teacher in the Design Faculty of Lanzhou Transportation University, is inspired by images combining a Baoxiang Flower (a traditional Chinese pattern at the base of lotus and peony, symbolizing treasure and happiness) and a wheel in the wind. 6 rotating petals occupy the outside of the design, indicating that the CIEF opens a window to the world. The red color symbolizes luck and festivity and the entire image resembles a Chinese pinwheel, predicting the CIEF propitious development.

The logo and fair's formal names in Chinese and English (Guangzhou Daily photo)

IPR Protection

Protection of intellectual property rights (IPR) is a high priority this session, according to the organizing committee. Every participant company is required to sign a letter of responsibility to the organizers vowing not to violate IPR. [Hard Line against Product Rip-offs]

Violations of patents or copyrights over two consecutive sessions or three cumulative sessions, or misuse of trademarks over two cumulative sessions will result in suspension from the fair for four sessions. [Copyright Protection Takes Center Stage]

Export Window

China's import and export amount reached 1800 billion USD in 2006, and is expected to pass 2000 billion USD in 2007, according to Yi Xiaozhun, deputy director of CIEF, who spoke at yesterday's opening banquet.

The annual bi-session fair has contributed over a quarter of China's total trade exports, and is regarded as "the link of friendship and a bridge for trade" in the world, by Tang Bingquan, another deputy director of CIEF.

Guangzhou Mayor Zhang Guangning, provincial governors and presidents of commercial chambers attended the opening banquet.

(By Jessie Hwang, Alan Devey)