"Canton Fair is a closely watched barometer of China's foreign trade. And it is held in Guangzhou, a city with an annual GDP of trillions of RMB, which means this city will catch a lot of attention globally," said Peter Helis, chief advisor of the Guangzhou Development District Investment Promotion Bureau at a storytelling event held on Oct 17.

Themed on "My Canton Fair Stories," the event invited global friends to tell their stories at China's oldest and largest trade fair.

Harley Seyedin, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in South China told his Canton Fair stories through video.

Canton Fair reflects the steady growth of China's economy 

Liu Weining, Chairman of the representative office of the Russian Association of Asian Industrial Entrepreneurs in China and consultant of China-Ukraine (Huangpu) International Institute of Research and Innovation, joined the Canton Fair in 2006 for the first time and has witnessed how it developed into a worldwide gala for global traders. 

"This year's Canton Fair is the first online and offline event, which not only boosts confidence for world partners, but also offers a platform for broadcasting China's stories and promoting understanding. And I have noticed that increasing companies tend to focus more on China's market that echoes with the trend of dual circulation in which domestic and overseas markets reinforce each other," Liu said.

Ramon Sitjas Montaner, the representative of Spanish entrepreneurs, majored in international trade in Spain. Having studied a lot about the world's industrial revolutions, he said that "the rapid development of China is unprecedented and beyond everyone's expectations. And the steady growth of China's economy gives much confidence to the international community."

"It's such a coincidence that the first time I came to Guangzhou from Spain was in 2003 when SARS hit China. And strict anti-pandemic measures were deployed exactly the same as what we're facing today. But the management and anti-epidemic methods are more intelligent than in the old days and the combination of online and offline events offers more opportunities for people around the world."

'The products from China will never disappoint you'

Maximus Ogbonna is the chairman of Nigerian Chamber of Commerce in China and speaks Mandarin, Cantonese, English and French. 

"I have a friend from the US, who always tells me that 'Made in China' is such a golden label that the products from China will never disappoint you. That's why almost every country has to do business with China," Helis said.

"China was a major export-oriented country dozens of years ago. However, it has evolved into a import country since the outbreak of the global financial crisis in 2008 with overall exports decreasing while imports climb," Helis added. Having witnessed great changes in China by himself, Peter Helis shared his insight on China's business trends.

'Canton Fair totally changed my career'

Bekar Mikaberidze, the founder of One Belt One Road Georgian Business House, came to Guangzhou after finishing his bachelor's and master's degree in Tianjin. "I was still a student when I first visited the Canton Fair in 2006. I was astonished to see so many products and opportunities at such a big event. This visit totally changed my life because I decided to stay in China to develop my business after that. And now it is proved that I made the right decision."

Giselle Bonet, representative of the Venezuela Chamber of Commerce and director of Pinchili China Service Limited, has joined 16 Canton Fairs. She said that the "Canton Fair serves as a global window through which worldwide suppliers and customers gather to exchange business opportunities. And there're still numerous opportunities awaiting us ahead."

This event was hosted by the Information Office of Guangzhou Municipal People's Government and Nanfang Media Group's GDToday & Newsgd.com, and guided by China Foreign Trade Center.