Released on: June 16, 2008, 8:07 pm

Press Release Author: Canton Fair

Industry: International Trade

Press Release Summary: The 104th session of China Import and Export Fair (also
renowned as the Canton Fair) has adjusted its exhibition period by splitting 2
phases into three and will be held from 15 October to 6 November, 2008. Each phase
will last 5 days instead of 6 with 2 intervals for 4 days each. All three phases
will be held in the Pazhou Complex, while Liuhua Complex will no longer be used.

Press Release Body: Approved by the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of
China, the 104th session of China Import and Export Fair (also renowned as the
Canton Fair) has adjusted its exhibition period by splitting 2 phases into three and
will be held from 15 October to 6 November, 2008. Each phase will last 5 days
instead of 6 with 2 intervals for 4 days each. All three phases will be held in the
Pazhou Complex, while Liuhua Complex will no longer be used.

Mr. Xu Bing, Deputy Secretary General and spokesman of the Canton Fair released this
news to the media in the press conference on April 26.

According to Mr. Xu, after splitting the Canton Fair into 3 phases, the Phase 1 of
the 104th session is from 15 to 19 October, exhibiting Large Machinery and
Equipment, Small Machinery, Bicycles, Motorcycles, Vehicle Spare Parts, Chemical
Products, Hardware, Tools, Vehicles (Outdoor), Construction Machinery (Outdoor),
Household Electrical Appliances, Consumer Electronics, Electronic and Electrical
Products, Computer and Communication Products, Lighting Equipment, Building and
Decorative materials, Sanitary and Bathroom Equipment, and International Pavilion.

With an interval from October 20 to 23, Phase 2 is from October 24 to 28, exhibiting
Kitchenware & Tableware, General Ceramics, Art Ceramics, Home Decorations, Glass
Artware, Furniture, Weaving, Rattan and Iron Arts, Gardening Products, Stone and
Iron Products (Outdoor), Household Items, Personal Care Products, Toiletries,
Clocks, Watches & Optical Instruments, Toys, Gifts and Premiums, Festival Products.

With the second interval from October 29 to November 1, Phase 3 is from November 2
to 6, exhibiting Men and Women's Clothes, Kids' Wear, Underwear, Sports and Casual
Wear, Furs, Leather, Downs & Related products, Fashion Accessories and Fittings,
Home Textiles, Textile Raw Materials & Fabrics, Carpets & Tapestries, Food, Native
Produce, Medicines and Health Products, Medical Devices, Disposables and dressings,
Sports, Travel and Recreation Products, Office Supplies, Shoes, Cases and Bags.

Mr. Xu Bing introduces that after the Fair's splitting into 3 phases, great changes
will take place on the organization mode of the 104th session compared with its
previous one. First, the scale is enlarged further; Second, exhibition period is
extended; Third, all 3 phases will be held in Pazhou Complex; Fourth, major
categories and exhibition sections will be rearranged. Textiles & Garments,
Medicines & Health Products formerly exhibited in Phase 1 and Cases & Bags, Office
Supplies, Sports, Travel and Recreation Products, Food, Native Produce formerly
exhibited in Phase 2 will be arranged in Phase 3; Five, exhibition categories will
be optimally rearranged into 50 from 34.

In response to a reporter\'s question why the Canton Fair will be split into three
phases, Mr. Wang Junwen, Vice President of the Canton Fair and Deputy Director
General of China Foreign Trade Center states that the Canton Fair is continually
adapting itself to the specialized trend of international exhibition industry, and
making efforts to resolve the contradiction that the existing scale still cannot
meet the demand of the domestic and overseas exhibiting enterprises. Through this
reform, the Canton Fair can achieve a considerable expansion in scale, a higher
level in specialization, and more participation opportunities for the exhibitors.

The implementation of 3 phases of the Canton Fair will continue to maintain its
features and advantages as a comprehensive trade show. The area of related
specialized exhibition sections will be enlarged, and according to sourcing
objectives and exhibits' usage, exhibition sections will be rearranged conforming to
overseas buyers' habits and general practice of exhibition classification of
international exhibitions. Therefore, the specialization of the Canton Fair will be
improved.

After the Fair is held in 3 phases, Liuhua Complex will no longer be used; instead,
Pazhou Complex will be the only venue. The supporting project of Pazhou Complex will
be completed in the second half of this year. Before the opening of the 104th
session, the Area A, B and C of the Pazhou Complex will all be put into use. Apart
from the advanced world level service facilities the Fair will offer, we will also
provide buyers with more abundant products, which are conducive to increasing
sourcing efficiency and attracting more international buyers to the Canton Fair.

Mr. Wang Junwen also points out that the Canton Fair has achieved great success
after splitting into 2 phases since its 91st session in 2002. In the recent 6 years,
the Canton Fair has developed better and better and enjoyed high reputation among
the exhibitors and buyers. Under the leadership of the Ministry of Commerce of the
People's Republic of China, the research and investigation of the reform proposal
has lasted for over 1 year and collected suggestions from all relevant sides,
especially exhibitors and buyers through various means such as survey, seminar,
on-site interview, and email. The exhibitors and buyers generally support the Canton
Fair's reform for 1 session in 3 phases.

Mr. Wang emphasizes that as the organizer of the Canton Fair, China Foreign Trade
Centre will continuously enhance its construction of both domestic and overseas
marketing networks, increase input and strengthen promotion as well as invitation of
exhibitors and buyers.

He also expresses that with care and support from the central government, trading
delegations, various associations, and a large number of exhibitors and buyers all
over the world, under the correct leadership of the Ministry of Commerce of People's
Republic of China and People's government of Guangdong Province, and with
wholehearted support from People's Government of Guangzhou Municipality and related
departments, the significant reform of the Canton Fair for one session in 3 phases
will certainly succeed, and provide more business opportunities to numerous buyers.

About China Import and Export Fair [Canton Fair]
China Import and Export Fair, also called Canton Fair, is held twice a year in
Spring and Autumn since it was inaugurated in the Spring of 1957. It is China\'s
largest trade fair of the highest level, of the most complete varieties and of the
largest attendance and business turnover. To learn more visit
http://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en/about.

About China Foreign Trade Centre [CFTC]
China Foreign Trade Centre, an institutional unit directly led by Ministry of
Commerce of the People\'s Republic of China, is entirely in charge of organization,
management and undertaking of China Import and Export Fair (also known as the Canton
Fair).
 Coordinate and organize fair affairs; and establish temporary managing
organization of the Canton Fair.
 In charge of invitation and reception of overseas visitors and delegations,
as well as maintenance logistics and security service of the Canton Fair.
 In charge of construction and management of information system of the
Canton Fair.
 In charge of maintenance, innovation, extension of the complex and other
related estate of the Canton Fair.
 Organize domestic enterprises to hold or attend overseas exhibitions,
business discuss on meeting, and promotion meetings; host or undertake all kinds of
domestic exhibitions and promotion meetings besides the Canton Fair, as the sponsor
or conductor.
 In charge of the management of the state-owned assets of China Foreign
Trade Centre and its subordinate enterprises, for maintenance and increment of value
of all the assets.
Subordinated to China Foreign Trade Centre, China Foreign Trade Centre (Group)
handles business including: conducting all kinds of foreign exhibitions in China and
Chinese exhibitions both at home and abroad; advertising; import and export
business; tourism; hotel and restaurant business etc. To learn more visit
http://www.cftc.org.cn/en/AboutUs.




Web Site: http://www.cantonfair.org.cn

Contact Details: Mr. Xiaoying WU, Ms. Stella XIAO of China Foreign Trade Centre
Tel: 0086-20-26080923 / 26080910
Fax: 0086-20-83335880
Email: marekting@cantonfair.org.cn; xiaoying.wu@cantonfair.org.cn
Website: http://www.cantonfair.org.cn/