The 136th Canton Fair is around the corner, and measures and services have been provided to facilitate overseas buyers for the Fair, including fast visa applications, a quick entry process, convenient transportation, and accessible financial services inside the Canton Fair Complex, according to the press conference by the Ministry of Commerce on October 10.
(Photo: Canton Fair)
Fast visa application: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
This year's session has further simplified the visa application procedure. Merchants attending the Canton Fair can apply for an invitation letter online through the Canton Fair's official website and apply for a visa to China at any Chinese embassy or consulate abroad with the letter. Family members of the participants can apply for corresponding types of visas at Chinese embassies or consulates abroad to travel to China together.
China has concluded visa exemption agreements covering different types of passports with 157 countries and has achieved comprehensive visa exemption with 24 countries. Recently, China has also reached agreements with countries such as Brazil and Australia on issuing multiple-entry visas valid for ten years and five years.
During the Canton Fair, Guangzhou has carefully prepared a variety of cultural and tourism activities. The Food Week and Coffee Culture Week will be held during the Canton Fair. A number of classic characteristic tourist routes have been prepared for the buyers, along with a series of cultural and tourism activity concessions. Overseas merchants who meet the 144-hour transit visa exemption policy of Guangdong Province can participate in a free one-day tour of Guangzhou.
Convenient transportation
In terms of entry services, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport has set up a dedicated service channel for quick customs clearance and inspection for Canton Fair merchants, opened a new bus line between the airport and the Canton Fair exhibition hall, and also established a Canton Fair travel consultation hotline. During the Canton Fair, the Pazhou Hong Kong and Macao passenger port will operate 12 round trips to Hong Kong each day. Passengers taking flights from 21 overseas airlines at Hong Kong International Airport can directly handle pre-boarding at Pazhou, allowing merchants to check in Guangzhou and board in Hong Kong.
In terms of urban transportation, Guangzhou will increase the number of metro trains and prepare spare trains during the Canton Fair. Guangzhou public transport will add bus lines passing through the exhibition hall and actively guide online car services for exhibitors and merchants.
Guangzhou will release real-time parking information online through WeChat mini-programs and provide about 20,000 parking spaces for merchants. Foreign card POS machines will be installed at transportation hubs such as Baiyun International Airport and Guangzhou South Railway Station, as well as around the Canton Fair venues and subway stations, allowing foreign bank cards to be used for ticket purchases.
Services within the venue
There are a total of 7 bank outlets and extended counters, 3 bank booths, 10 ATMs, and 8 foreign currency exchange machines inside the exhibition hall, supporting the exchange of RMB cash for 18 foreign currencies. All merchants are equipped with foreign currency POS machines, providing foreign currency card swiping and mobile payment services. In cooperation with the Bank of China, a Canton Fair digital RMB wallet is issued and distributed for free to VIP overseas buyers.
This year's Canton Fair has increased catering services, with the number of catering points increased to 76, the maximum daily meal supply being about 100,000 meals, and the number of meal varieties increasing to 267, providing diversified catering options including Chinese food, Western food, and halal meals.
Reporter | Grace
Editor | Nan, Nina, James
Cover | Nanfang Daily
