Merchants from APEC economies account for over 60% of the inbound passenger flow of the Canton Fair

China News Service, Guangzhou, October 29 (Fang Weibin, Xu Xuyu) Reporters learned from the Guangzhou Border Inspection Station on the 29th that according to statistics from the station, among the overseas merchants entering the country through the Guangzhou port since the opening of the Canton Fair, merchants from APEC economies accounted for 60.54%, becoming the absolute main force in inbound passenger flow.

It is reported that the second phase of the Canton Fair will close on October 27, and the third phase will open on the 31st; from November 18 to 19, the 33rd APEC Leaders’ Informal Meeting will be held in Shenzhen. The two major events came one after another, and Guangzhou Port entered the "double event" guarantee rhythm.

The 140th Canton Fair coincides with the 70th anniversary of its founding. As of October 28, 278,000 overseas buyers had attended the conference. Among them, buyers from APEC member economies entered the country through Baiyun Airport, Pazhou Hong Kong and Macao Passenger Port and other ports, reaching 146,200, a year-on-year increase of 21.5%. Malaysia, Thailand, Russia, Australia, Singapore, etc. were at the forefront.

Policy dividends and customs clearance convenience jointly support "Asia-Pacific passenger flow". Holders of the APEC Business Travel Card can enjoy the convenience of immediate customs clearance; starting from November 1, the maximum stay in China with a valid travel card is 90 days, which is more suitable for multi-stop business itineraries. After arriving in Guangzhou to participate in the exhibition, many businessmen will also go to Shenzhen to participate in APEC-related industrial and commercial activities, achieving "one entry and two conferences". Australian businessman Serge praised China’s visa-free policy: “It is very simple and smooth, and it is very convenient to come to China.”

As the APEC meeting approaches, it is expected that the number of APEC merchants traveling through the Guangzhou port will continue to increase. The Guangzhou General Border Inspection Station has opened special channels at each travel inspection port, increased its foreign language service force, strengthened the application of intelligent inspection equipment, and met the customs clearance guarantee needs of the APEC meeting in advance, coordinating police forces and emergency plans, ensuring smooth and smooth port customs clearance during the two major events, and serving the in-depth interconnection between China and the Asia-Pacific.