The Canton Fair is the biggest trade show in China. First held in 1957, it's seen as an important barometer for China's trade competitiveness and the health of the global economy.
This spring twice-yearly event is on for the 117th time. But as China's foreign trade fell 6% year on year in the first quarter of 2015, the world is concerned about its actual performance this year.
Over 60,000 booths and 24,000 exhibitors. So what you see around me is just a tiny tiny fraction of that. It's the first day of 117th Canton Fair and participants are swarming in.
Focusing on technology and innovation, the 117th Canton Fair is expected to nearly level with last autumn's show in scale.
Despite the slump in China's foreign trade, many participants Here today are optimistic about the country's economic performance in the future.
