On March 19, the promotion event for the 137th Canton Fair in the UK was successfully held in Glasgow. The event was hosted by the China Foreign Trade Centre and organized by Intennel Business Group, with nearly 100 organizations and business representatives in attendance. The promotion was supported by the China-Britain Business Council (CBBC), the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in the UK (CCCUK), the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, and the Scottish Chinese Entrepreneurs Association.
Mr. Yu Benlin, Minister for Economic and Commercial Affairs at the Chinese Embassy in the UK, and Mr. Zhang Biao, Consul General of China in Edinburgh, were invited to attend the event.
In her welcome speech, Glasgow Lord Provost Jacqueline McLaren emphasized the city’s strong ties with China, noting its sister-city relationship with Dalian and the presence of a long-established Chinese community. She stated:
“Glasgow has deep cultural, economic, and social connections with China. I believe this meeting will help further strengthen our relationship.”
Dr. Duncan Booker, Head of Green Economy, Innovation, and International Affairs of Glasgow City Council, highlighted Glasgow’s role as the economic engine of Scotland. He remarked:
“It is truly an honor and pleasure to discuss Glasgow’s growing relationship with China and the opportunities brought by the Canton Fair. We look forward to cooperating with the Canton Fair.”
Richard Muir, Deputy Chief Executive of the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, stated:
“The Chamber has an ambitious international strategy, and China is one of our key trading partners.”
He also pointed out that the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, founded in 1783, is one of the oldest and most well-documented chambers of commerce in the English-speaking world.
“We at the Glasgow Chamber are very pleased to participate in the 137th Canton Fair,” he added.
A representative from the External Liaison Department of the China Foreign Trade Centre expressed gratitude for the support of various sectors in the UK for the Canton Fair. He shared that the 136th Canton Fair attracted overseas buyers from 224 countries and regions. Both online and offline, a record-breaking 253,000 overseas buyers attended, including over 3,000 British buyers attending in person. The 137th Canton Fair will be held from April 15 to May 5, 2025.
“We welcome British companies to participate in the Canton Fair and explore cooperation opportunities,” he said.
He emphasized that the Canton Fair is China’s oldest and largest trade exhibition, renowned for attracting the most buyers from around the world.
“The fact that this will be the 137th Canton Fair is truly a moment for reflection—it remains one of the key platforms for promoting international trade between China and the rest of the world,” remarked Lord Provost McLaren.