My Experience of Canton Fair

Canton Fair in My Eyes+x7b#\*lq:[m'a8b _:N

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[align=left][list][*][font=Verdana]???Chinese Export Commodities Fair is the biggest General Fair of East Asia on behalf of product variety and visitors. It is an international commercial and financial crossroad.???[/font][/list][align=right][font=Verdana]Andrew Alexandris:o o `T$cO~
A. Alexandris Co.
bt4F+^ vJ8suwaF[-z Vice President of the Hellenic Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industries[/font][/align][align=right] [/align][list][*][font=Verdana]???I have been visiting Canton Fair since 1999. My impressions of the Fair are always positive. I strongly believe that this Fair now the first in China will be soon the first in the world.???[/font][/list][align=right][font=Verdana]Spyros Xanthis
q(kK Ra8nHu Xanthis S.A.
UM-zw'C1T;G%e Secretary General of the Hellenic Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industries[/font][/align][font=Verdana][/font]
.}Mb`&C~ [list][*][font=Verdana]???Much more than a fair??Real time business at the place where World trade begins!!!???[/font][/list][align=right][font=Verdana]Nickolas Tountas
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Member of board of directors the Hellenic Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industries[/font][/align][font=Verdana][/font] c FXQ ])e
[list][*][font=Verdana]???I have visited CECF twice a year since 1999. My impressions about the hospitality the technology and the professionalism (especially in shoes) are excellent. Furthermore, from the quantity and quality of the products I am quite satisfied and this is verified also through our imports and from the positive reaction of our end customers. As long as these conditions last and I believe they will and always they will be improved, I hope we will import bigger quantities from the P. R. of China.???[/font][/list][align=right][font=Verdana]Matzouratos Dimitrios
*T8I3|4aM4G s`M\ Matzouratos Dimitrios Sole Proprietorship 6t;[L6v
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Member of the Hellenic Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industries[/font][/align][align=right] [/align][list][*][font=Verdana]???I had the honor to lead and escort the Greek Trade Delegations to Canton Fair both on October and April 2005. Each time I was amazed of its great organization, the quality of the products and surprised from the growing numbers of visitors from all over the world and especially from Greece. Sincerely, please do believe it, it is a lifetime experience. I sincerely hope to have the chance and honor to participate in the 100th celebration of this institution and lead for once more the Greek trade delegation.???[/font][/list][align=right][font=Verdana]George Spyropoulos]kMK:MsST
General Manager Intl RelationsI"q*H(V2mS4l3Ew
Hellenic Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industries[/font][/align][/align]

MY EXPERIENCE OF CANTON FAIR

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A2AY f\-ox1eG author: SH. KHALIL HAIDER (Pakistan) 3w g2~$z X_

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IT WAS THE YEAR 1962 WHEN WE OPENED OUR OFFICE IN LAHORE AND STARTED WORKING AS AGENTS ON COMMISSION BASIS, BOOKING ORDERS OF VARIOUS ITEMS OF MACHINERY, TOOLS AND HARDWARE PRODUCTS OF CHINA WITH DIFFERENT EXPORT CORPORATIONS.
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AT THAT TIME, THE SCOPE OF BUSINESS WAS LIMITED. THE BUSINESS STARTED WITH EXPORT CORPORATIONS LOCATED IN SHANGHAI. WE STARTED BUSINESS WITH CHINA NATIONAL MACHINERY IMPORT & EXPORT CORPORATION, CHINA NATIONAL METALS & MINERALS IMPORT & EXPORT CORPORATION, CHINA NATIONAL LIGHT INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS IMPORT & EXPORT CORPORATION, CHINA NATIONAL CHEMICALS IMPORT & EXPORT COPORATION, ALL LOCATED AT 27, CHUNGSHAN ROAD (E-1) SHANGHAI.
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\R,EC`(Kp WE ARE THE FIRST COMPANY IN PAKISTAN WHO INTRODUCED MANY CHINESE PRODUCTS VIZ HAND TOOLS, MEASURING TOOLS, CUTTING TOOLS, MACHINE TOOLS, POWER TOOLS, BUILDERS HARDWARE, LIGHT INDUSTRIAL PORDUCTS, RUBBER BELTS, FASTNERS MAKING MACHINES, RUBBER PROCESSING MACHINES, WIRE ROPE MAKING MACHINES ETC. ETC.
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.HH%|z%p\.xM:D AFTER WORKING FOR SIX YEARS THROUGH CORRESPONDENCE, WE VISITED CANTON FAIR FOR THE FIRST TIME IN APRIL 1968 AND STAYED IN DONG FANG HOTEL FOR NEARLY 20 DAYS AND JUST OPPOSITE THE HOTEL WAS OLD FAIR BUILDING. THIS WAS THE TIME WHEN PAKISTAN AIRLINES USED TO FLY TO CANTON WHERE THEY HAD AN OFFICE IN THE DONG FANG HOTEL BUILDING.
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AFTER OUR PLANE LANDED AT THE AIRPORT, WE WERE WELCOMED BY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CHINESE EXPORT CORPORATIONS AND RED GUARDS WHO TOOK US TO THE AIRPORT BUILDING AND AFTER ENTERTAINING US WITH TEA, READ QUOTATIONS FROM RED BOOK OF CHAIRMAN MAO TSE TUNG. THEREAFTER, WE WERE TAKEN IN A BUS TO THE DONG FANG HOTEL WHERE WE STAYED DURING OUR VISIT TO THE CANTON FAIR. ON REGISTRATION, RECEPTIONIST AT THE HOTEL USED TO TAKE OUR PASSPORTS WHICH WERE KEPT IN THE LOCKER AND RETURNED AT THE TIME OF OUR DEPARTURE. THE FIRST PROCESS OF ATTENDING THE FAIR WAS REGISTRATION WHICH WAS CHECKED AT ENTRANCE OF FAIR BUILDING."dUh2a)?7z"H'p9w

.^4y9`k6|4H5| WE USED TO ATTEND THE FIRST SESSION OF FAIR FROM 9 AM TO 11:30AM AND WITH INTERVAL OF THREE HOURS WHICH TIME WE USED TO SPEND IN THE HOTEL, WE ATTENDED 2ND SESSION OF FAIR FROM 2:30PM TO 5:30PM. BEFORE THE START OF BUSINESS DISCUSSIONS, QUOTATIONS FROM RED BOOK WERE READ BY REPRESENTATIVES OF EXPORT CORPORATIONS AND SAME THING WAS REPEATED HALF AN HOUR BEFORE CLOSE OF FIRST SESSION OF THE FAIR AND AGAIN DURING THE SECOND SESSION OF FAIR, SAME PROCESS WAS REPEATED. THIS WAS THE TIME OF CULTURAL REVOLUTION. !e:pF!?Dr6s
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DURING OUR SPARE TIME, WE USED TO ENTERTAIN OURSELVES BY PLAYING INDOOR GAMES LIKE TABLE TENNIS AND FOOTBALL IN THE LAWNS OF HOTEL BUILDING. WE DID NOT MOVE OUT OF THE HOTEL DURING OUR STAY. HOWEVER, ON EACH SUNDAY, ALL THE VISITORS WERE TAKEN TO THE MOUNTAINS IN THE OUTSKIRTS OF CANTON BY BUSES, WHERE WE WERE SHOWN VILLAGE LIFE AND COMMUNES AND ENTERTAINED WITH VARIETY OF FOOD AT LUNCH. THIS WENT ON FOR SOME YEARS. 2_zc&T9_

,eE1`{ky WITH THE EXPANSION OF BUSINESS, MORE AND MORE BRANCHES OF EXPORT CORPORATIONS STARTED PARTICIPATING IN THE CANTON FAIRS. CECF AUTHORITIES ALSO KEPT ON EXPANDING FACILITIES BY SETTING UP MORE AND MORE BOOTHS FOR THE NEW EXPORT CORPORATIONS AND LATER ON SHIFTING TO NEW BUILDINGS. ~?0qGR[![5WR

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k(uT AT THE SAME TIME, A NEW BUILDING WAS BUILT IN DONG FANG HOTEL AND WITH PASSAGE OF TIME AND INCREASE IN NUMBER OF VISITORS MANY NEW HOTELS, THREE STAR, FOUR STAR AND FIVE STARS HAVE BEEN BUILT ALONGWITH ALL KIND OF ENTERTAINMENT FACILITIES FOR THE VISITORS. [C p0q"V\i4r:z1`4l!z


QneFv;~YG IN THE BEGINNING, IT WAS QUITE DIFFICULT TO GET ROOM IN DONG FANG HOTEL. THE VISITORS PREFERED TO STAY IN DONG FANG HOTEL AS SAME WAS JUST OPPOSITE TO THE FAIR BUILDING. HOWEVER, LATER ON MANY NEW HOTELS WERE BUILT AROUND THE FAIR BUILDING WHICH HAS PROVIDED LOT OF COMFORT TO THE VISITORS AND THERE WAS GOOD CHOICE OF STAYING IN OTHER HOTELS BESIDES THE OLD DONG FANG HOTEL. INORDER TO FACILITATE THE WORKING OF EXPORT CORPORATIONS AND VISITORS, THE CECF AUTHORITIES KEPT ON MAKING  CHANGES IN THE SET UP OF BOOTHS ALMOST EVERY TIME, BUT THE BEST CHANGE, SOFAR, SEEN IS BY SETTING UP A NEW FAIR BUILDING AT PAZOU WHICH HAS BEEN SET UP ON MODERN LINES, THE FAIR BUILDING HAS A GOOD NUMBER OF BOOTHS PROPERLY SET UP, BUSINESS CENTERS WITH FACILITY OF FAX, E-MAIL, INTERNET, PHOTO COPY ETC ETC, TELEPHONE BOOTHS AND MOBILE PHONE COMPANIES DESKS PROVIDING ALL KIND OF FACILITY TO VISITORS UNDER ONE ROOF, BANKS, AIRLINES OFFICES, GOOD NUMBER OF RESTAURANTS HAVE BEEN SET UP. ALL THESE THINGS PROVIDE COMPLETE FACILITIES TO THE VISITORS. SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE IS AVAILABLE IN ALL THE HOTELS. LOT OF TAXI CABS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE. THERE IS TRAINED STAFF WHO FACILITATE THE VISITORS TO THEIR MAXIMUM AND EVEN SOMEONE IS THE FIRST TIME VISITOR, HE ALSO FEELS FAMILIAR TO THE PLACE AND IS NEVER A STRANGER. FRIENDLY LOCATION MAPS ARE AVAILABLE. THE MOST ADVANCED AND DRASTIC ADDITION IS ??SCAN??, THIS SYSTEM FACILITATE THE VISITORS TO LOOK FOR THE BEST SELLER FOR THEIR PRODUCT, ONE CAN SOURCE, THE BEST BRAND / MANUFACTURER / PRODUCT, WHICH SUITS THEM. THIS ALL IS A CHANGE MADE BY THE CECF AUTHORITIES FROM TIME TO TIME. THEY HAVE GATHERED MORE THAN 100,000 SUPPLIERS TO A ??CD??, WHICH IS HANDY AND HELPFUL TO ALL, DUE TO ITS FRIENDLY USAGE. THE NEW PAZOU BUILDING IS A LANDMARK BY CECF AUTHOROTIES, WHICH ACCOMODATES MORE THAN 100,000 EXHIBITORS AND THOUSANDS OF VISITORS. AT THE SAME TIME NEW AIRPORT BUILDING HAS BEEN BUILT WHICH GIVES ??MODERN LOOK??.7nv"s
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N~/J5O9MJ/Y AS THE TIME PASSED THE SYSTEM OF REGISTRATION ALSO ADVANCED, THIS IS ALSO A BIG ACCHIVEMENT OF CECF AUTHORITIES. IN THE OLD DAYS, WE USED TO STAND INTO THE QUE TO GET OURSELVES REGISTERED FOR THE FAIR, WHICH WAS CUMBERSOME, LATER SOME HOTELS WERE AUTHORISED TO REGISTER THE VISITORS. AS THE TIME PASSED, THIS PROCEADURE BECAME MORE AND MORE EASY. IN YEAR 2005, CECF INTRODUCED DATA CARD, WHICH IS LIFE TIME, ONCE A VISITOR HAS BEEN ISSUED A DATA CARD, THERE IS NO NEED TO WAIT IN LONG QUE TO GET YOUR SELF REGISTERED, JUST GET THE CARD SCANNED AND YOU ARE REGISTERED. LATER ON A BETTER WAY OF REGISTERING YOURSELF WAS ??ONLINE?? REGISTRATION. AS THE TIME IS PASSING, CECF IS INTRODUCING MORE AND MORE FACILITIES FOR VISITORS TO GET THE INVITATION, GET THEMSELVES REGISTERED AND EVEN HOTEL BOOKING IS BEING MADE EASY. THE WORK OF CECF IS HIGHLY APPRECIATED.
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STARTING FROM THE YEAR 1968, WE HAVE BEEN REGULARLY ATTENDING      SPRING AND AUTUMN GUANGZHOU FAIRS EVERY YEAR. WITH THE PASSAGE OF TIME, THE DURATION OF FAIR KEPT ON CHANGING FROM 30DAYS TO 25DAYS, 20DAYS, 15DAYS, 10DAYS AND NOW FOR 6DAYS, WHICH IS ACCORDING TO INTERNATIONAL STANDARD OF EXHIBITIONS AND FAIRS. IN THE BIGINING THERE WERE FEW VISITORS.  NUMBER OF VISITORS KEPT ON INCREASING EVERY YEAR. THE NUMBER OF VISITORS HAS INCREASED FROM FEW HUNDREDS TO MANY THOUSANDS. THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY ALL OVER THE WORLD IS IMPRESSED WITH THE RAPID DEVELOPMENTS MADE BY CHINA IN EVERY FIELD, WHICH HAS CREATED INTEREST FOR THEM TO VISIT CHINA AGAIN AND AGAIN AND DO MORE AND MORE BUSINESS. *wZ(F c4t
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WE HAVE ALSO SEEN TEMENDOUS CHANGES MADE BY CECF ACCORDING TO NEED OF TIME. SINCE VISITORS WERE COMING FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD, MAINLY THROUGH HONGKONG, VARIOUS ROUTES LIKE TRAINS, HYDROFOILS, SHIPS, BUSES, TAXIS FROM HONGKONG TO CANTON WERE OPENED FOR PARTICIPATING IN THE  CANTON FAIR THIS GAVE BIG CHOICE TO THE VISTORS TO GO TO GUANGZHOU AND PARTICIPAPTE IN THE FAIRS.N1y b6^1xF^
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BESIDES, WE HAVE VISITED VARIOUS CITIES OF CHINA FROM GUANGZHOU TO HUHHOT AND HAVE SEEN TREMENDOUS CHANGES EVERYWHERE.$v-vv M*iw5}l
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WITH THE EXPANSION OF BUSINESS IN CHINA, THE HEAD OFFICES OF ABOVE EXPORT CORPORATIONS FIRSTLY OPENED BRANCHES IN OTHER CITIES LIKE GUANGZOU, NANJING, QINGDAO, TIANJIN, HANGZHOU AND BEIJING AND LATER IN 18 MORE CITES OF DIFFERENT RPROVINCES. WE STARTED BOOKING ORDERS WITH ALL THESE BRANCHES AND SIGNED EXCLUSIVE AGENECY AGREEMENT FOR SALE OF TOOLS IN PAKISTAN WITH THE CMC HEAD OFFICE, BEIJING WHICH LASTED FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.
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@#mcN/r\ [R THE FIRST TIME WHEN WE VISITED GUANGZHOU, THERE WERE FEW VISITORS ONLY. WITH THE PASSAGE OF TIME, THE BUSINESS KEPT ON EXPANDING IN CHINA AND MORE AND MORE VISITORS STARTED ATTENDING CANTON FAIRS FROM DIFFERENT COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD, WHICH LATER WAS NAMED ???GUANGZHOU FAIR??.
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WE HAVE SEEN LOT OF DEVELOPMENTS IN CHINA IN THE LAST 38 YEARS. MANY NEW INDUSTRIES HAVE BEEN SET UP, NEW EXPORT CORPORATIONS AND THOUSANDS OF PRIVATE COMPANIES HAVE BEEN OPENED IN AL THE PROVINCES TO COOPE WITH THE EXPANDING BUSINESS, INFRASTRUCTURE CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED WITH TREMENDOUS SPEED. A PERSON LIKE ME WHO HAS BEEN VISITING CHINA SINCE LAST 38 YEARS CAN ONLY MAKE COMPARISON BETWEEN THE YEARS 1968 TO 2006 WHERE BUSINESS HAS GROWN FROM A COUPLE OF BILLION DOLLARS TO HUNDREDS OF BILLION DOLLARS EVERY YEAR. THE IMPORT AND EXPORT BUSINESS BETWEEN OUR TWO COUNTRIES, PAKISTAN AND CHINA, HAS DEVELOPED TO A VERY BIG EXTENT FROM APPROX. 700 MILLION DOLLARS TO MORE THAN 3.5 BILLION DOLLARS. THE MARKETS OF PAKISTAN ARE FILLED WITH CHINESE PRODUCTS. A CHINA CENTER FOR SALE OF CONSUMER PRODUCTS IS BEING BUILT IN LAHORE WHICH WILL START WORKING DURING THE CURRENT YEAR.     %^-i|,`2VZ"B,{$u |u
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HERE WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO MENTION THAT OUR TWO GOVERNMENTS AND PEOPLE OF CHINA AND PAKISTAN ENJOY THE MOST AFFECTIONATE AND BROTHERLY RELATIONS IN THE WORLD. WE HAVE HELPED EACH OTHER WHENEVER THERE WAS NEED AND WE WILL KEEP ON HELPING EACH OTHER IN THE FUTURE.2QkGa,t%Y ?I8L

x$^+B zHMp BEST WISHES TO GUANGZHOU FAIR AND CHINA EXPORT COMMODITIES FAIR AUTHORITIES WHO HAVE WORKED HARD TO BRING THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY  OF THE WORLD VERY CLOSE TO BUSINESS COMMUNITY OF CHINA .

CHINA EXPORT COMMODITIES FAIR (AUTUMN) 1957. Canton. (Guangzhou)

author: Victor F Percival (New Zealand)
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The first Canton Fair as it was and is still known was held in April (Spring) of 1957
,Ic&h&Y@ a'i I was not at that fair as we in New Zealand had not even heard about this Trade Fair.&_MHOs

w*j:Z~jpS/K*e At that time neither Australia nor New Zealand had normal diplomatic relations with`"H'VvR}Ydi
the Peoples Republic of China. In fact both New Zealand and Australia normalised
#YZ QS:Xn^7W)q8W;|3Y(X political affairs with Beijing in December 1972. New Zealand was ruled by Norman
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_![u$l'J9g I had already been doing business with PR China since 1956 and as a result I was invited to the Canton Fair of October 1957. This involved quite a complicated
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New Zealand, at that time, was under a National Government (KMT), led by  Prime(b-O.~:?j
Minister Keith Holyoake who politically was following the USA doctrine of John Foster Dulles, Secretary of State, who rather strangely said that PR China did in fact not exist and should not be recognised or traded with.
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I was the only New Zealand businessman invited to the Fair and as such told the NZ Minister of Trade that I was going despite their attempts to dissuade me. At that time most of the international trade of NZ was with United Kingdom who were tinkering with the idea and proposition of joining a European Union. y!ghb(v3Gh v9~KbX
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It was plain to me that NZ desparately needed new trading partners and however long it would take to establish this, the sooner the work was started the better as there was no time to waste. China with its large land mass and population was the obvious place){"Fs z3cLU7V`

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T~!{bSzB2n Because of travel cicumstances of the time the intrepid journey to reach Canton would take one week. Now it can be done in a few hours with commercial jet aircraft flying into Singapore, Hongkong or indeed Japan and Korea, then to Chinas many cities:@-D,eel6j
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The only entry point for China at that time was by rail from Hongkong. It was necessary to present oneself to the China Travel Service in Nathen Rd. with the Official Invitation . to attend the Fair together with a current valid passport. After completing the formal application and other necessary forms your passport and documents were retained by China Travel Service who gave a receipt after payment in Hongkong dollars and then told to attend at the Kowloon railway station (then in Salisbury Rd) opposite the Star ferry terminal at 0730 am in two days. im/{ vYvA5U

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q5W ^!TP It was never confirmed, but I was told that your passport and other documents went to Canton and back during those 2 days for the issue of the entry visa. On the appointed day those going to Canton entered the special China Travel Service, service room at 0730 for a final screening and return of your passport with your train ticket to the Lo Wu station at the boarder between Hongkong and China. Documents included a lunch voucher to be used at the boarder.
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w4Lt'P*C.ic The train departed on time at 0830 and arrived at Lo Wu at 1100. There were seven persons in our group. Six business men from Hongkong and myself. I was a novelty as all the others were expats from UK or Europe who had previously lived and worked in China up until 1949. Some spoke Cantonese dialect fluently and were helpful to me. There was nothing but goodwill towards me as I was not seen as a competitor.
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We were all (seven) conducted to a boarder room where documents passports and
&p'\ _{fst]F international health certificates were scrutinised with great care. We then were ledZy8j1m/v3p{ZM;n
accross the Lo Wu river bridge, where right in the middle were the boarder guards.$A6JT#wg6\
Hongkong on their side of the boarder and the Chinese on their side.
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Together we went inside a 3 storied customs hall and building where our luggage was examined and our nearly completed documents were checked. The 2 new documents were Customs declaration and Currency declaration. It was a little strange to me as both documents were printed in Chinese then Russian and English.
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;|-|9} ZZZ1{ At that time the boarder village was a small fishing village of 500 or 600 fishermen.GO%`/{1WJL2i
Now it is Shenzhen city of 3 million people. How things change quickly in China.CO+?8@}1[H
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We had a pleasant lunch which included nice warm south China beer and then in mid afternoon we boarded a new train for Canton arriving at the old railway station.We were greeted by a welcome party from the Trade Fair organisers and each person was allotted an official interpreter. Mine only spoke Mandarin as he was from Tianjin. This was a source of some problems in Guangzhou where they all speak Canton dialect.
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_ Into our bus and to our hotel where we arrived after 5 pm. Quite a long day for us.I\0JXy` Q0Yq+~q
Our Hotel was called Ai Chun, which translates to something like "love the people"XG us,U.h5Z*C

HuwK!j8W The fair was held at the "Sino Soviet Friendship Hall" in Liu Hua Lu at the same place as in recent years. The fair however was very small in those days and the Dong Fang Binguan was not built. We travelled each day by bus back and forth and stayed at the fair for lunch which consisted of fried rice with shrimps and heaps of tea.
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y1t(E0BOY Lunch was for 2 hours and everybody slept during lunchtime after the bowl of rice.W)M&wq!M{
It was interesting because during lunchtime and sleeping time the telephone would ring constantly and nobody would answer. Neither the hotel nor fair buildings were airconditioned and there were no telephones in the hotel rooms. This was not an issue with us as we had nobody to phone in those days.|)dl qm
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The Hongkong people went to the post office if they wished to phone to Hongkong.8VTNMud
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If we wished to change currency to local RMB we went to the bank with our currency form and did so with the currency declaration adjusted accordingly.When we crossed back to Hongkong we were required to produce the foreign currency according to this document. If you could not there was big trouble.
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The range of product available at the fair was very limited as China had not at that
YsCTJ%U'M stage developed any wide range of products. It was mostly export of those China
NaF*A~ commodities for which they had been famous in past year. The textile industry was in infancy and light industry was not in existance in any sophisticated form.WkW#R+H-nod

-Z1Ttq4^E.h+T The fair went for 4 weeks from 15th to 15th of the following month. April/May, Spring Oct/November, Autumn. The fair was for both buyers and sellers. For buyers it was a full 4 weeks. For sellers they had to wait until the last week for contracts as the buyers would not place orders with foreign suppliers until they were allocated foreign money according to the success of the selling in the first 3 weeks and according to the need for the economical development plan and Chinas 5 year plans.*cj{;`@]NZ
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As a matter of record, during the fair I attended all guests stayed at the one hotel.G`H{&ts:Z_0B_-r
I stayed for 3 weeks and at any one time the most we had were 35 people and no\W,kj)U[
females. Not that China would not allow the females, but western ladies mostly could not accept the extreme difficult and sparten conditions of the times.
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.i m_ dQ ] _Wk Victor F Percival.   Past Chairman New Zealand China Trade Assn and
} EG(NZ)O,JV            QSM  JP                                 Honorary Member CCPIT (Beijing)

On April 1969

author: Haj M. H. Al-Kazzaz (Iraq)
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s2N"A/dF5l_ I decided to travel to China and meet the Chinese representatives in the spring FAIR of Kwanchow.Z)W"{IAEu_

n7j"p9O.m8Mk Owing to the friendly relation with the Chinese Embassy of Baghdad, and meeting our friend in the commercial dept. Mr. Lee who speaks excellent Arabic language. On the12th of April, reached H. K. and entered without visa, stayed in Sheraton hotel Kawloon side and on the following day I contacted the Chinese Tourist office who gave me all the instruction , and how to enter the Borders with two train tickets. On 15 April I left H. K. and about 200 miters we disembarked the H. K. train which was rather old and entered the Chinese borders on foot, and we have a worm welcome from the National guards offering us some sweets and they put me among other visitors in a very clean Hall filled of tables bearing red small books of Late chairman Mao in many Languages. After about one hour we entered a restaurant with many signs on each table showing us Chinese, European, Indian and Moslem food, so that no body would complain. I believe that the food was similar on each table, then we took the Chinese train to Canton (Kwanchow), the train was very clean and well decorated in white cloth and many fans inside each carriage to make the trip comfortable.
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Ps$[ E;{0N4M9mz Finally we reached Dong Fang Hotel and after about one hour in the reception a young lady took me to my room in which I found my luggage. The room was very clean with a table fan and a white net was set on the bed to keep mosquito??s a way. The experience was new to me but I found it very interesting.
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.l:Y\W'M+j4BP| On the following day a bus was waiting for us and we finally reached the ??? FAIR??? and in 30 mints I saw some Chinese friends from ??? China National Textile Imp & Corp ??? Shanghai branch waiting for me with great welcome , I was surrounded with two interpreters, speaking Arabic and English , but I told them very politely that I do not need interpretation as my friends speaks English . I was told that about 500 young boys and girls were assigned to serve in the FAIR and in the Hotel to practice their own language which they study, so it was a good opportunity for them, and they were so keen not to miss.

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To obtain the contract for a Chinese commodity, we need at least one day to introduce ourselves to the other side and talk for two hours in politics and the best ways to improve the friendship of the two concerned countries.
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The following day, we see that our business files brought and we discussed the existing difficulties if any.:hIo$a(VNK6RI
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And we must explain the purpose of the importation and the product??s nature, and if there will be any increase in our importation of material, but they will never respond to our request and they will never ever discuss a possibility of the price reduction, and they will always offer and contract what is available.g[!d%?:`.^
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The 3rd meeting we sign the related contract which is already typed with quantities they offer without any discussion. 9|`7cZ!n;t1UE%g

si^l i2j7o After signing the contract, it was accustomed to have a farewell party in one of the famous restaurants in the city, they send you the car early and to my Surprise I find myself surrounded by at least 8-10 persons on the table speaking different languages which they expect that you can speak. tf ]%nD'ti
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The menu is in Chinese or in English but I do not understand what is the food, but I always admire Chinese food in all types specially the ??? Sea food ??? , before we took the meal we have to have a  Taoist ???a drink??? to my first visit ,then to my first time in this restaurant and also for the contract and finally for the Friendship of China Iraq and the drink was 3 glasses ??? Mao-tai??? , Cherywine and beer and after the five drinks you don??t realize how it was ended and how did you reach your room, but it was really very nice and remarkable so I could not forget till now.pz%b8e~P"@
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The following visits to Kwan-chow were completely different. Each visit we have something new, the Hotel was air cooled by water coolers and in couple of years, they were air conditioned and the Hotel was expanded and several other Hotels were built for the Japanese and the Chinese origin people from H. K. Macao, Thailand etc??
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A.Qz6_tP In the following events, we can discuss about business more freely and can have a privilege of setting some discounts or increase in the quantities of the products etc..
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O Even the entertainment parties were improved by some theatre programs, Gymnastic shows, acrobats, songs etc...
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The food was more acceptable and we can have our own choice??
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E#aO Even our trips were changed to be by Airplanes instead of H. K. transit.
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WO)p.cf}x#J4`#x Today??s China is becoming a super power not only by Trade or industry, but also by science, technology of space also in sports. The Chinese people are entitled to be proud of their country in every aspect. We look forward to see that Asia will become the real economic power by the unity of the Asian countries. And building bridges of peace and friendship throughout the world.
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@+P&ggfLU Haj M. H. Al-Kazzaz
w q{;A9SZ2{      Chairman

A participant's view of the CECF

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c:k W ^&r)]~h[ author: Wolfhart Putzier (Germany)
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P3yCB#\'R „We first attended the Chinese Export Commodities Fair in Guangzhou in the late 1960s, at a time when China was still a relatively closed economy. Already then, one could gauge the enormous potential of this country once it would open itself fully to the world. The CECF has played a crucial role in China??s external economic relations, not only through its ideal geographic location close to Hong Kong but also by providing a well-organized platform for business links. The CECF covers a wide range of sectors, which makes it convenient for foreign buyers to find the ideal partner for many products.Ofb&q!wP.K^
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We are confident that the CECF will continue to play a vital role in bringing together Chinese enterprises with their foreign partners. The long tradition of this trade fair and the experience and reputation gained during this period continues to make the CECF the ideal place for creating business contacts and fostering trade between China and Germany.????;VP`-uiR5n{

@{.s gd"vf1V Wolfhart Putzier
b?!N&@&I Jebsen & Jessen Ltd., Hamburg
'Rg/N:XB8bo/y President of the German Federation of the German Export Trade

CANTON FAIR OFFERS ABUNDANT COMMERCIAL OPTIONS

author: Mr. Salo Ponchner (Costa Rica)
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• Point of contact for big players in the Chinese Market9\-E]3})h,? ?0r#R
      • Exhibition of high quality Chinese products&u/M'Y WS-n'JF

]4gS:J/JK I first participated in the Canton Fair on October 2005, during the 98th edition.  It was not my first time in China since I had attended other Chinese fairs before, such as specialized trade shows on air conditioning and refrigeration.  I had also visited several factories.  The Canton Fair, however, impressed me greatly since it is the biggest fair I have ever visited in my life.  I was attracted by the variety of products, the organization, its size and the great number of exhibitors.  I have attended other fairs in Europe, the United States and Mexico, and I can truly declare that the Canton Fair offers abundant commercial opportunities for foreign buyers.4q5Q,i s u$O#VH(w

;F1Lm T;B|s&U My expectation when visiting the Fair was to learn who the big players and manufacturers were in the Chinese market, specifically in household electrical appliances and air conditioning.
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I wanted to know which companies had left the market, since many air conditioning firms have closed throughout the years.  There was a time when there were over 700 Chinese companies in this business sector, and today there are about 200.  The decrease in number is due to the restructure of many firms, or the merger of others.  The Canton Fair gave me the opportunity to know which air conditioning companies are still competing, which are growing, and which ones are the most aggressive in the market.
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The Fair was very interesting because we met the big players in the air conditioning market and we had the chance to visit their factories.  During the fair we came to a preliminary agreement with several companies to visit their factories, examine the brands, do a quality inspection tour, and carry out all the activities related to selecting a business partner that interested us.
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My objective was to get a better idea of the company I was buying from and who else is out there in this market, since many factories have begun to manufacture generic products.  We wanted to see the size of the factories, their organization and the quality of their products.  Almost all of the factories I visited in October where in Guangzhou, and all of them remarkable, with 60 thousand to 70 thousand employees.  You can imagine the bicycle parking lot.
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Some production plants are very well organized, clean, with assembly lines exactly the same as the ones you see in the United States, Europe and Mexico.  All with the latest technology.  The quality aspect is fantastic.  A testament to the quality is the number of foreign markets to which Chinese firms are selling to. ,u&X/`pa#u

9U7sV@B kw Like in all fairs, there are people who accept a business deal, but after the fair they never reply to the emails you send them.  This happens in all fairs around the world.  Yet there have been several companies which we are still in contact with.
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Z7Z` V2O.B|(aOk1T We still have about 10 companies which we need to visit since they were not close to Guangzhou, like the ones that produce compressors, motors, copper tubes, etc.  We signed contracts but we still need to visit the factories, examine the quality of their products and continue negotiations before we make an order.ItW1TdUD
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I think it is worthwhile to continue visiting the Canton Fair.  The next time I go to the Fair I will spend 2 or 3 days examining the stands and the rest of the time I will dedicate to visit the factories of the companies I like.  I plan to stay longer so I can consolidate a direct relationship with the Chinese firms that participate in the fair and that I consider possible business counterparts.
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As an exporter to Costa Rica, China will grow and become a mayor supplier as we get to know the products and gain confidence in the quality of the brands.  My company also buys from Mexico, the United States, Canada, Venezuela, Europe, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan and South Korea.  We are buying goods from China that are competing with numerous factories and important brands all over the world.
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n$s I must point out that thanks to the Costa Rican Chamber of Foreign Commerce and of Foreign Company Representatives (CRECEX) and the excellent service it provided I was able to participate in the Canton Fair.  CRECEX has a lot of experience and it knew what it was doing.  In this way, it was easy to participate in the fair, and a lot of stress was removed from my shoulders.  The first time you visit the fair you have a lot of questions, about how to get to fair, where the products you want are, etc.  CRECEX was very helpful in answering all my questions and giving me the support I required.  8sN)Mc8j

/DB:`t Iw)Z Furthermore, the Chinese citizens are very approachable.  The Chinese are reasonable people, honest, open and contrary to other nationalities, like the Japanese or Koreans, they don??t act differently towards Latinos.oC0adO
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Chinese people are more reasonable and more similar to Costa Ricans.  They are easier to engage in conversation with even despite the language barrier.  Many do not speak fluent English; but their warmth and lack of hypocrisy make them genuine people.  They never look down on you; on the contrary, they are trying to access international markets and want to get to know you.  Their humility makes commercial exchange easier.
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r(NWO/Buh;~ Mr. Salo Ponchner is the General Director of Multifr?¡ì?o S.A., an air conditioning company based in San Jos?¡ì?, Costa Rica

They are all old friends of China and Canton Fair.

I am a newer,in this special days,wish all the sincerely friends from all over world happy new year.

I have never take in any canton fair till now, and don't know how to do it.

After  reading the view of foreign friends, I have obtained many encouragement.As many people said,foreigners are very friendly.If you have enough self-confidence,you will make friends with them easily!:victory:

Thinking from the CECF

The coming 103th  CECF bring the 2008  export trade tide in China.Chinese Export Commodities Fair is the biggest General Fair of East Asia on behalf of product variety and visitors. It is an international commercial and financial crossroad.It is an international commercial and financial crossroad.I have visited CECF twice a year since 2007. My impressions about the hospitality the technology and the professionalism  are excellent. Furthermore, from the quantity and quality of the products I am quite satisfied and this is verified also through our imports and from the positive reaction of our end customers. 8h+Y&tO6tX
I eagered the session of the coming Canton Fair so eagerly,how about the daily Canton Fair? It is not daydreaming.The first CECF hold in 1957,that is a time lack of Information.but now the WEB connect the whole wrold together.A on-line Trade Fair?thinking about the B2B plat.But...,the b2b olat form cannot present wanna-buy or wanna-sell  products precisionly...

ih#wag"}&O Do we have the video?'M?,v$Z&O
yeah!video b2b platform?