Published by ChinaMNC · Linyi

China's Canton Fair Opens 140th Session as Xi Highlights Open Trade Platform for Foreign Businesses

A practical overview for foreign founders of the 140th Canton Fair opening in Guangzhou and President Xi Jinping's congratulatory letter, which reaffirms China's stated commitment to open trade, multilateralism and stable global supply chains.

What Happened at the 140th Canton Fair

The 140th session of the China Import and Export Fair, widely known as the Canton Fair, opened on 14 October in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province. The event is co-hosted by China's Ministry of Commerce and the Guangdong Provincial People's Government, according to the official announcement carried by Xinhua News Agency.

On the same day, President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the fair, according to the report. For foreign founders building a presence in China, the letter is worth reading closely because it restates the government's public position on trade openness and international business cooperation.

Why the Canton Fair Matters to Foreign Founders

The source notes that the Canton Fair was established 70 years ago. Over those seven decades, according to the letter, it has played an important role in promoting trade between China and other countries. The letter describes the fair as an effective platform through which China expands high-standard opening up and supports the building of an open world economy.

For founders, this framing is practical rather than merely ceremonial. A long-running, government-backed trade exhibition in Guangzhou gives foreign business owners a recurring venue to meet Chinese manufacturers, suppliers and trading partners, and to test demand for products before committing to a full China entity. The source does not provide exhibitor numbers, attendance figures or deal values, so founders should treat the fair as an access point rather than a quantified market forecast.

What the Letter Says About Trade Policy

In the letter, Xi stated that under new circumstances China is willing to work with countries around the world to jointly uphold the multilateral trading system, safeguard the stability and smooth operation of global industrial and supply chains, expand room for mutually beneficial international economic and trade cooperation, and advance inclusive economic globalisation that benefits all. The stated aim is to keep injecting new momentum into global development and prosperity.

These are declarations of intent, not binding commitments, and the source contains no implementing measures, timelines or sector-specific rules. Founders should read them as signals of the policy direction the government publicly emphasises, while continuing to verify concrete requirements — such as company registration procedures, foreign investment rules and customs formalities — with the relevant authorities or professional advisers.

How Founders Can Use This Development

• Use the fair as an entry point. The 140th session opened in Guangzhou on 14 October. Founders exploring sourcing or partnership options can plan around this recurring event, which the source identifies as a major trade platform.
• Watch supply-chain language. The letter's emphasis on stable and smooth industrial and supply chains suggests continued official attention to cross-border logistics and production links, which matters for founders planning manufacturing or distribution in China.
• Note the institutional hosts. The fair is co-hosted by the Ministry of Commerce and the Guangdong provincial government, indicating high-level official backing for the event and the broader trade agenda it represents.
• Separate signal from rule. Statements about multilateral trade and inclusive globalisation are policy messaging. They do not change registration or tax obligations on their own, so founders should confirm current requirements before acting.

Registration and Operating Considerations

The source does not describe company registration steps, foreign investment rules or tax treatment. Founders should therefore treat the letter and the fair opening as context for market entry rather than a compliance guide. Practical steps — choosing a legal structure, preparing documents, and understanding ongoing reporting duties — should be confirmed with qualified advisers who track current Chinese requirements.

What the source does establish is a clear official emphasis on openness and international economic cooperation, delivered alongside the opening of a 70-year-old trade fair in Guangzhou. For founders, that combination is a reasonable prompt to explore China-based sourcing and operations, while keeping expectations grounded in verified facts rather than assumed guarantees.

Key Takeaways

• The 140th Canton Fair opened on 14 October in Guangzhou, co-hosted by the Ministry of Commerce and the Guangdong Provincial People's Government.
• President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the fair the same day.
• The letter marks the fair's 70 years of operation and calls it an effective platform for China's high-standard opening up.
• China's stated willingness covers upholding the multilateral trading system, keeping supply chains stable, expanding mutually beneficial cooperation and advancing inclusive economic globalisation.
• No statistics, guarantees or specific policy measures appear in the source.

Foreign founders can contact ChinaMNC on WhatsApp / WeChat at +86 153 1898 8535 for help registering and operating a company in China.

This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.