A Zhuhai delegation of 174 enterprises is showcasing 16,719 high-quality and new mostly mechanical, electrical, and hi-tech products at the online 128th China Import & Export Fair (Canton Fair).

With the addition of Gaoge Medical Technology, Zhuhai National Resources & Jingjie Printing Technology, and Zhuhai Gainscha Network, the number of local commodities on display increased by 3,120 (23 percent) from the previous show. Covering 16 categories, they are being shown at 582 booths in 50 exhibition zones through Oct 24.

This is the second time for the fair to go online due to the COVID-19 outbreak. About 78 percent of the Zhuhai exhibits are sold on the internet -- up 2 percent from the initial online session in June -- according to Feng Lizhen, secretary-general of the Zhuhai trade delegation. 

Runwin livestreaming [Photo by Zhong Fan / Guanhai App]

Based on experience, the Zhuhai enterprises have optimized space layout, scenario setting and equipment, and added more professional team members. Some have prolonged live broadcast periods to reach clients in other time zones.

Sun Jiawei, general manager of Runwin Electric in Jinwan District, said the company's foreign trade value had dropped 20 percent year-on-year in the first six months of this year because of the pandemic. Benefitting from the first cloud-based Canton Fair, the export value bounced back to its previous level in August and Runwin recorded a year-on-year increase of 10 percent in September. She expressed confidence that the 10-day event would further boost the company's foreign trade.

In addition, the 128th Canton Fair has more domestic purchasers to boost a "dual circulation" pattern, in which Chinese and foreign markets complement and reinforce each other, with the domestic market as the mainstay.

Xiangzhou-based China Electronics Zhuhai, for instance, has been expanding domestic markets and signed 70 million yuan ($10 million) in deals, a positive outcome as the COVID-19 outbreak reduced their foreign trade, said Tong Min, the company's general assistant manager.