GUANGZHOU, China, Oct. 1, 2012 (ANTARA/PRNewswire) -- Attended by dignitaries from 25 Guangzhou-based foreign consulates, an evening of fine dining and entertainment was successfully held on Sept. 19 in the Guangdong capital to celebrate this year's mid-Autumn Festival. Also known as the Moon Festival, this popular festival has been part of the Chinese calendar for more than 2,000 years.
Co-organized by the China Foreign Trade Centre and the Foreign Affairs Office of Guangdong Province, the event was intended to thank participants for their long-term support of the Canton Fair. Taking place aboard a yacht of the Chateau Star River Hotel, the highly enjoyable evening was also attended by Wang Zhiping, Director of China's Foreign Trade Center, Liu Jianjun, Deputy Director of the Center, and Li Jian, Deputy Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of Guangdong Province.
Addressing the event, Li Jian thanked each of the consulates, and businesses from their respective countries, for helping the Canton Fair thrive over the years. In his speech, Wang Zhiping noted that 120,000 buyers (60% of the total) at the 111th installment of the Canton Fair came from countries with consulates in Guangzhou. He extended a warm invitation to all guests to attend the 112th Canton Fair, and sincerely hoped that even more overseas buyers and exhibitors would be attending.
Despite the general downturn in the global economy, the Canton Fair, with its 55-year history, remains a highly profitable and prestigious event. Generating an unrivalled volume of business transactions and boasting a vast exhibition area of more than 1 million square meters, it is widely regarded as the best gateway into the Chinese market. Ending in May, the 111th session of the Fair attracted over 210,000 buyers from all over the world, playing an important role in sustaining international trade.
The Canton Fair has strengthened China's economic ties with the rest of the world, and Guangzhou's consulates have played their part in this process. Consulate staff regularly attend important ceremonies and accompany commercial groups as they visit the Fair. By working closely with the China Foreign Trade Center, consulates also help promote the Fair and significantly boost the participation of overseas companies.
The 112th installment of the Canton Fair will run from Oct. 15 - Nov. 4, 2012.
For further information please visit: http://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en/index.asp
SOURCE China Foreign Trade Centre (CFTC)
Editor: PR Wire
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
