A view of the China Import and Export Fair Complex in Guangzhou, capital of South China's Guangdong province, on June 14, 2020. [Photo/China Daily]

The 131st China Import and Export Fair, better known as the Canton Fair, will be held in online forms from April 15 to April 24, to boost global trade and China's dual circulation development paradigm, the Ministry of Commerce announced on Thursday.

With more than 25,000 overseas and domestic exhibitors, the fair will cover 16 categories of goods varying from consumer goods to manufacturing machinery, during the 10-day event, the ministry said in an online statement.

Focusing on improving the effectiveness of trade connection and user experience, the ministry said that the Canton Fair this month is designed to further optimize and enhance the functions of the event's online platform and take various measures to facilitate the interaction between exhibitors and sourcing companies, as well as stimulate trade transactions.

The China Import and Export Fair started in 1957. It is the country's largest comprehensive trade fair with the longest history and holds the largest number of overseas buyers and product categories, according to information from the ministry.