The 138th China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, commenced in Guangzhou on Wednesday.

Running until Nov 4 in three phases, this edition has set new historical records with a total exhibition area of 1.55 million square meters, featuring 74,600 booths and more than 32,000 participating enterprises, according to the fair's organizers. 

Held twice a year - in spring and autumn, this year's edition is expected to see approximately 3,600 companies making their debut. Over 400 leading global enterprises are expected to participate.

About 207,000 buyers from 217 countries and regions have pre-registered for the trade fair, in a 14.1-percent increase over last year's edition, the organizers said, adding that the fair welcomed more buyers from the European Union, the United States, and countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.

China Daily photographer Parker Zheng took the photos.