China Import and Export Fair, also renowned as the Canton Fair, is held biannually in Guangzhou every spring and autumn uninterruptedly for over 100 sessions since it was inaugurated in the Spring of 1957. It is China's largest trade fair of the highest level, of the largest scale, of the longest history, of the most complete varieties and of the largest buyer attendance and the greatest business turnover in China. Preserving its traditions, the Fair is a comprehensive and multi-functional event of international importance.

The Canton Fair is a national exhibition event. The Canton Fair is co-hosted by the Ministry of Commerce of PRC and the People’s Government of Guangdong Province, and is organized by China Foreign Trade Centre (CFTC). Chinese Premiers have visited the fair many times.

Fifty Trading Delegations, being composed of thousands of China's best foreign trade corporations (enterprises) with good credibility and sound financial capabilities, take part in the Fair, including foreign trade companies, factories, scientific research institutions, foreign invested enterprises, wholly foreign-owned enterprises, private enterprises, etc.

Its buyers come from all over the world. 200,000 guests from over 210 countries and regions with different cultures and beliefs get together in Guangzhou, China in spring and autumn twice a year to exchange information and procure their favorite products. More than 150 of the World Top 250 retailers attend the Canton Fair for procurement.

The Canton Fair exhibits the most complete varieties of products. The fair, categorized into five sections with Industrial Products, Medicines & Health Care, Textiles & Garments, Consumer Goods and Gifts, covers more than 150,000 types of products, including not only traditionally preponderant products of light Industry, textiles and garments, but also high-tech and high value-added electromechanical products.

Besides traditional way of negotiating against samples, the Fair holds Canton Fair online. The Fair leans to export trade, though import business is also done here. Apart from the above-mentioned, various types of business activities such as economic and technical co-operations and exchanges, commodity inspection, insurance, transportation, advertising, consultation, etc. are also carried out in flexible ways. Business people from all over the world are gathering in Guangzhou, exchanging business information and developing friendship.