The Canton Fair is held online for the first time in 63 years from June 15 to 24 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

The 127th session of the China Import and Export Fair, or the Canton Fair, will be held online from June 15 to 24 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 1,300 enterprises in East China's Fujian province are expected to take part. The province is currently carrying out preparatory work for the fair, according to local media on May 26.

A range of activities will be organized, including online forums, contract signing, and product releases. The province is also encouraging enterprises to strengthen brand promotion via the online Canton Fair, as it seeks to create more business opportunities for international businesses and stabilize foreign trade and investment.

The first virtual Canton Fair will set up 50 display areas in 16 commodity categories, make full use of cutting-edge technologies, and provide exhibitors all-day services such as online promotion, match-making on both the supply and purchasing sides, and online negotiations.

The fair will set up a foreign trade platform for domestic enterprises to showcase their characteristic products, aiming to explore new possibilities for efficient international trade.

Exhibition fees will be waived to cope with the impact of the epidemic and help foreign trade enterprises to expand their markets and overcome difficulties, according to the Ministry of Commerce.