The first online promotion activity of the 129th Canton Fair kicked off at the end of March. New Zealand became the first stop for the grand expo to promote itself across the globe.

To organize worldwide buyers and help domestic enterprises expand their overseas markets, the fair values innovation-driven development and established online promotion channels, officials said.

Guided by the principles of [connecting the world, highlighting key efforts, and enhancing cooperation", the fair actively carried out online services of invitation, contract-signing and matchmaking to create win-win scenarios and boost the foreign trade industry.

Following the paradigm of major policies such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, the fair also rolled out all-inclusive services for its global guests.

This year, a series of online promotion activities were held in 32 countries and regions, including the United States, Australia, Russia, Indonesia, Sweden and Peru. More than 4,000 guests, including officials from trade promotion departments and business leaders from associations and trading groups, have participated in the activities.

By inviting major retailers from Russia, Indonesia and the US, it built up an efficient online negotiation platform for more than 800 exhibitors and buyers recommended by provincial and municipal trading groups.

The activities have also promoted the matchmaking of domestic key industries and industrial clusters with international markets, such as small household appliance manufacturers in Guangdong province, toy manufacturers in Shantou, and Zhejiang`s textile and Shandong`s food enterprises, helping them explore the international market.

This year, it signed contracts with 10 industrial and commercial institutions, transnational companies and business and travel institutions from the US, Russia, Indonesia, Brazil, Chile, Kazakhstan and other important markets through online promotion.

The China Foreign Trade Centre the fair`s organizer, has so far established partnerships with 149 organizations from 82 countries and regions, including 39 countries and regions involved in the BRI.

By inviting industrial associations, government officials, experts and scholars and trade service providers to deliver the latest information about trade policies, industry trends and market strategies, the online promotion activities were highly praised by their audiences.

Djauhari Oratmangun, Indonesian ambassador to China, said at one of the activities that China is Indonesia`s biggest trading partner and that the Canton Fair plays an important role in boosting trade between the two countries.

Indonesian enterprises should take full use of the online platform to expand business channels and hunt for opportunities.

The chairman of the New Zealand-China Trade Association said the Canton Fair`s online format has made it a bridge to connect global traders. Enterprises in New Zealand have reaped the benefits and are looking forward to restoring offline business as soon as possible when the pandemic is over.

The fair`s organizers also provided training activities to guide participants in using the platform correctly.

So far, it has organized more than 300 training sessions for overseas buyers and provided consistent services across all time zones.