GUANGZHOU, China – The 2026 Pearl River International Trade Forum concluded successfully on October 16, 2026, at the Canton Fair Convention Center. Coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the Canton Fair, the forum convened under the theme “Building Mutual Trust and Joining Forces for Shared Success,” drawing together government officials, business leaders, and academics to chart new directions for international commerce.
The forum served as a critical platform for exploring new opportunities for Chinese companies expanding into overseas markets, identifying innovative pathways to integrate trade and investment, and fostering international cooperation among overseas industrial parks. A central focus was also placed on the Canton Fair’s enduring role in advancing high-level opening up and promoting an open global economy, a mission it has upheld for seven decades.
Expert Perspectives on Global Trust and Emerging Models
The event featured an expert dialogue, a thematic session on insights into opportunities, and dedicated business matchmaking activities, creating a comprehensive framework for analysis, case studies, and concrete business engagement. Pascal Lamy, former Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), addressed the forum via video, underscoring trust as the “invisible infrastructure of international trade.” Lamy acknowledged the Canton Fair’s historical significance in connecting China with the world and expressed hope for fostering more balanced trade relations and deeper mutually beneficial cooperation.
Jiang Xiaojuan, professor at the University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and former Deputy Secretary-General of the State Council, presented on the emerging “born global” model in the age of AI. This new paradigm, she explained, involves companies developing technologies, products, and services for global markets from their inception, rather than the traditional domestic-first approach. Jiang attributed this shift to rapid advances in digital and intelligent technologies coupled with the upgrading of China’s industrial capabilities. She emphasized the need for companies to think globally, build trusted brands, pursue mutually beneficial cooperation, and adhere to high international compliance standards. At the policy level, she advocated for greater transparency, convenience, and predictability in cross-border flows of innovation resources, supported by robust institutional safeguards for high-standard globalization.
Industry Evolution and Strategic Localization
William Huang, Managing Partner of EY China South, observed a significant evolution in globalization, moving towards more diversified and interconnected business models. He highlighted that Chinese companies are increasingly exporting not just products, but also capabilities, including R&D, supply chain management, and operational expertise. Huang noted the Canton Fair’s unique value in providing face-to-face connection opportunities, essential for building long-term, sustainable partnerships.
Practical insights were shared by industry leaders. Zhu Lei, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Gree Electric Appliances, recounted Gree’s 31 consecutive years of participation in the Canton Fair. He detailed the company’s evolution from product export to jointly developing industrial operations overseas, emphasizing Gree’s commitment to deep localization. As an example, he cited Gree’s factory in Brazil, where local employees constitute 98% of the workforce, demonstrating deep integration into the local community.
Jiang Cong, Vice President of Xiaomi Group’s International Business Department, addressed the distinct challenges technology-driven companies face in building international trust. He explained that their offerings extend beyond individual products to encompass technology platforms, industrial ecosystems, and ongoing services. To earn global trust, Jiang stressed the importance of strong technological capabilities, rigorous compliance, and sustained investment in localization efforts.
Co-creation and Future Outlook for Global Trade
From the perspective of an international buyer, Can Yildirim, Managing Director and Chief Technology Officer of Severin, articulated that “the future of cooperation lies in co-creating value.” Drawing on Severin’s more than three decades of experience in the Chinese market, Yildirim encouraged Chinese and international businesses to find a balance between competition and cooperation.
Liang Yutian, Deputy Director of the Institute of International and Regional Studies at Sun Yat-sen University, delivered a presentation on integrating trade and investment, identifying overseas industrial parks as crucial platforms for this synergy. Participants broadly concurred that despite prevailing challenges such as slowing global economic growth and pressures on multilateralism, openness and cooperation remain the dominant trend in international relations.
Founded in 2021, the Pearl River International Trade Forum has quickly established itself as a premier high-level forum dedicated to international trade within the Canton Fair’s ecosystem. Against the backdrop of the 140th Canton Fair, which convened business professionals from across the globe, this year’s forum successfully facilitated dialogue among government, business, and academic communities. The consensus reached is expected to significantly aid businesses in China and overseas in fostering mutual trust, identifying new opportunities in trade and economic cooperation, and collectively building an inclusive and prosperous future for international trade.
