STORY: Int'l participants eye new opportunities at Canton Fair | Sunny's Spotlight
SHOOTING TIME: April 15-19, 2024
DATELINE: April 23, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:55
LOCATION: GUANGZHOU, China
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. STANDUP (English): SUNNY ZHOU, Xinhua correspondent
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): BARIS OZTURK, Buyer
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): NATHALIE SAELENS CARLIER, Buyer
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): LAURENT POQUETTINO, Buyer
5. SOUNDBITE 4 (English): BARIS OZTURK, Buyer
6.SOUNDBITE 5 (English): NATHALIE SAELENS CARLIER, Buyer
7.SOUNDBITE 6 (English): LAURENT POQUETTINO, Buyer
8.SOUNDBITE 7 (English): NATHALIE SAELENS CARLIER, Buyer
9. SOUNDBITE 8 (Chinese): LIN ZHENHAI, General manager, White Swan Hotel

STORYLINE:

STANDUP (English): SUNNY ZHOU, Xinhua correspondent
"Welcome to Sunny's Spotlight. Season's greetings from the vibrant city of Guangzhou, currently hosting the 135th session of the China Import and Export Fair, or the Canton Fair. I'm joined by attendees from home and abroad, eager to explore the myriad opportunities that this event presents. Together, we're about to embark on a boat ride, cruising along the Pearl River and immersing ourselves in the city's captivating spring scenery.
Around 40 minutes later, we'll arrive at the main venue of the event - the Pazhou Exhibition Center.
How do the guests feel about this unique boat trip? What expectations do they hold for the event? Let's talk to some of them and hear their thoughts."

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): BARIS OZTURK, Buyer
"It's interesting for me. It's the first time like this."

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): NATHALIE SAELENS CARLIER, Buyer
"It's a very pleasant time."

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): LAURENT POQUETTINO, Buyer
"It's a moment of relaxing time."

Buyers attending the Canton Fair are brimming with anticipation for innovative products and ideas that will unlock new opportunities.

SOUNDBITE 4 (English): BARIS OZTURK, Buyer
"It's the first time to visit Guangzhou. I came here for Canton Fair. I heard from a friend - it's a famous exhibition, he said. So we want to try it."

SOUNDBITE 5 (English): NATHALIE SAELENS CARLIER, Buyer
"I come from France. I have a company, which specializes in household products. I'm looking for clever products which could improve the daily life of the consumers, for our customers (not only) in France, but also in Europe. For sure, I expect a lot from these three phases of the Canton Fair."

SOUNDBITE 6 (English): LAURENT POQUETTINO, Buyer
"We have been here for almost 30 years already. It's always interesting to come here to visit our suppliers and also to meet new companies, new products, new factories, because we are always looking for new things and we need to introduce these new things to our market. So for us, China and the Canton Fair is a big opportunity."

Global buyers are also impressed by the latest efforts to facilitate ease of payment for overseas travelers.

SOUNDBITE 7 (English): NATHALIE SAELENS CARLIER, Buyer 
"It's incredible. Just during the session, I downloaded the app Alipay. Wow, we can do everything. Didi. We can buy a subway ticket. Everything. I can buy the eSIM card. I can see that the Chinese technology is more advanced than that in France. It is very convenient."

A unique boat transfer service was provided by the White Swan Hotel in Guangzhou to improve the experience for guests.

SOUNDBITE 8 (Chinese): LIN ZHENHAI, General manager, White Swan Hotel
"During the reception of the 135th Canton Fair, the rooms seem to be fully booked amid all three phases. There will be nearly 800 guests from all over the world at the White Swan Hotel. Foreigners account for 90% of guests. We have prepared this special reception to welcome our guests attending the Canton Fair."

As of Friday, over 125,000 overseas purchasers have participated in the event, 23.2 percent more than a year ago.

The second phase of the fair starts on Tuesday.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Guangzhou, China.
(XHTV)