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The first phase of the Canton Fair concluded on April 19. Before its opening, concerns lingered over the prospects of this session and global trade at large. Yet those anxieties dissolved as 64,530 global buyers actively checked in on the fair's opening day on April 15, with the number surpassing 110,000 by noon on April 17. 

Despite differing nationalities, skin colors, and backgrounds, global buyers shared one conviction: "The Canton Fair and China remain the best places to do business."

Handshakes Over Confrontation

"Within a single day, we received 56 business cards at our booth," said Hu Tingru, a representative of Jinhua Haiwei Ship & Marine Equipment Manufacturing Co., Ltd., with excitement. "Through the fair, we've secured new orders from Africa, South America, Europe, and beyond. A Malaysian buyer even paid the deposit on the spot."

Chinese exhibitors need global buyers, and buyers need China. "We require Chinese supplies because China's technology leads globally. Without question, collaboration is imperative," asserted Rwandan buyer Saeed Sultan. Colombian businessman Thomas Gutierrez echoed: "The more trade barriers arise, the more vital it becomes to partner with manufacturing giants like China."

China's trade resilience is strengthening amid a diversifying global market. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, exports to Belt and Road partner countries grew 7.2% year-on-year in Q1 2024, accounting for over 50% of total trade. Meanwhile, the U.S. share of China's exports has dropped from 19.2% in 2018 to 14.7% in 2023.

Innovation Meets Challenges

At this year's fair, Jin Haina debuted its new respiratory masks and earmuffs with digital radio functions. "We want buyers to visit our factories and R&D centers to witness our capabilities firsthand," said Xu Hong, the company's key account director. By April 16, Jin Haina had hosted over a dozen client visits, securing multiple projects and intent orders. "We'll deepen outreach in Europe, South America, and the Middle East while boosting R&D investment," Xu added.

Like Jin Haina, Chinese exporters are leveraging innovation to navigate challenges. Philippe Samuel, CEO of Tomax Asia, revealed plans to source US$ 20 million worth of small appliances, including kitchen and cleaning equipment, at the fair. "Chinese tech is now world-leading," he noted.

Globalization's Inevitable Return

Amid rising trade friction and protectionism, how long will the clash between globalization and its countercurrents persist?

Xiong Aizong, associate researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, argues that economic globalization remains an irreversible tide. "The backlash against U.S. protectionist policies, even domestically, signals their ultimate failure," he stated.

For many in the business community, the resilience forged by China and it's global partners will reignite globalization. "The current anti-globalization trend will not last long," declared Nathalie Bardin, CEO of France's Ysend Smart Supply Chain Group. "Within five to ten years, global trade will realign. Building a shared future for humanity is the unstoppable trend."

English author & editor: Wen Junhua