A group of 48 enterprises from Zhanjiang in South China's Guangdong province signed $20 million worth of agreements and letters of intent on the first day of the 121st China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, in Guangzhou on April 15.

The biannual event, co-sponsored by China's Ministry of Commerce and the People's Government of Guangdong province, is one of China's biggest trade fairs and is designed to offer a platform for business among entrepreneurs.

The fair is divided into three phases, with the first focused on electronics, household appliances and machinery. Phases two and three will take place on April 23-27 and May 1-5 respectively.

Zhanjiang is one of the world's biggest manufacturing centers for household appliances. A total of 27 appliance companies from the city including Zhanjiang Hallsmart Electrical Appliance and Zhanjiang Baishijia Electrical Appliances displayed their latest products during phase one, attracting the interest of many foreign customers, particularly those from countries and regions involved in China's Belt and Road Initiative.