Two recent expos — the fifth edition of the China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) and the 137th edition of the China Import and Export Fair (the Canton Fair) — have once again solidified the country's role as a cornerstone of global commerce.

They have drawn unprecedented global participation, signaling unswerving confidence in the world's second-largest economy as both a premium consumer market and a resilient manufacturing hub.

Exploring market potential

This year's CICPE, held from April 13 to 18 in Haikou, south China's Hainan province, attracted more than 4,100 brands from over 70 countries and regions.

As China's sole state-level event dedicated to consumer goods, the expo serves as a gateway to the country's vast consumer market.

The UK, as this year's guest country of honor, occupied an exhibition area of over 1,300 square meters, showcasing more than 50 brands across the fashion, beauty, homeware and jewelry industries, doubling its 2024 presence.

"I have seen the tremendous innovation and growth taking place within China's economy in recent years, not least in digital technologies, life sciences and green energy," said Douglas Alexander, UK's minister of state at the Department for Business and Trade, adding that the UK is committed to deepening economic ties with China.

Slovakia, Singapore and Brazil made their national debut this year, displaying their respective specialty products.

As an old friend of CICPE, EY, one of the "big four" accounting firms, has participated in every edition of the event. This time, EY brought its latest green AI products and released a series of industry insight reports.

"CICPE has not only become a window to showcase global premium consumer goods, but also a platform to facilitate trade, industry and consumption upgrade," said William Huang, managing partner of EY China South, adding that EY is looking forward to joining hands with global partners to explore pathways to sustainable development.

Leveraging trade platforms

The 137th edition of the Canton Fair, taking place from April 15 to May 5 in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong province, has attracted about 31,000 participating firms, setting a new record in the event's history.

This edition of the fair is divided into three phases, focusing on advanced manufacturing, quality home furnishings and products that promote a better quality of life respectively.

The Canton Fair has set up a good negotiation platform between exhibitors and buyers, Huynh Ngoc Hoa, vice manager of SANAKY, a home appliance enterprise in Vietnam, said.

This is the first time that his company has participated in the Canton Fair, leveraging the fair to expand its export business and understand new market trends, according to Huynh, who looks forward to participating again in the future.

The Canton Fair has always been a driving force for global trade, Andre Rocha, president of the Federation of Industries of the State of Goias, Brazil, said, adding that through the fair, people can understand and engage with global development trends, cutting-edge technologies and practical solutions.

More than 200,000 overseas buyers from 215 countries and regions have preregistered for this edition of the fair, with the lineup featuring the likes of retail giants Walmart from the U.S., Carrefour from France, and Tesco from the UK, demonstrating the strong resilience and vitality of Chinese foreign trade.