Mainland officials see no light at the end of the tunnel for the embattled export sector as the first part of the country's best-known trade fair ended in Guangzhou with a lukewarm response.
Ministry of Commerce officials said yesterday that the value of the export orders for the first of three parts of the Canton Fair had dropped by 20 per cent compared with October's session.
The second part of the spring session will be held from Friday to next Tuesday, and the third part will be on May 3-7. Known officially as the 105th Session of the China Import and Export Fair, it is held twice a year and is seen as a prime indicator for the export industry.
Guangdong's export-oriented economy has been hit hard by the global economic crisis. The sharp decline in exports also worries top leaders in Beijing.
Premier Wen Jiabao made a quick visit to the fair following his appearance at the Boao Forum in Hainan province and in Shenzhen at the weekend.
Sources said Mr Wen visited two exhibition halls where household electrical appliances were on display and talked to exhibitors.