Big fair survives turmoil

GUANGZHOU: The global financial crisis does not seem to have seriously affected the 104th Chinese Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, in terms of either business deals sealed or the number of visitors received.

Domestic exhibitors clinched trade deals worth $31.55 billion, while 174,562 overseas buyers attended the fair between Oct 15 to Nov 5, compared with total transactions of $38.23 billion and 192,000 buyers from abroad seen during the 103rd session of the fair in April, said Mu Xinhai, spokesperson for the trade fair's organizing committee.

"The trade deals to a great extent speak volumes for the success of the organizing committee in reforming the nation's biggest trade fair the pattern of the 104th session will not change in the foreseeable future," Mu said.