Coronavirus: China to push ahead with Canton Fair despite pandemic threat
- China will push ahead with its largest trade fair despite the outbreak of the new coronavirus, says Premier Li Keqiang
- The Canton Fair will be an important part of Beijing’s efforts to ‘stabilise’ the global economy, Li says
Li said at a State Council meeting this week that the spring exhibition, which is expected to run from mid-April to early May, would be an important part of Beijing’s efforts to “stabilise” China’s international trade.
“Against the backdrop of foreign trade and foreign investment being hit hard by the [coronavirus] epidemic, the spring session of the fair will have a particular significance,” Li said in an online statement published by the Chinese government.
“Relevant departments must prepare for the fair according to changes in the epidemic situation at home and abroad, and do everything possible to expand foreign trade and cooperation.”
Against the backdrop of foreign trade and foreign investment being hit hard by the [coronavirus] epidemic, the spring session of the fair will have a particular significance
The decision to press on with the event in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province, has surprised many in China as the government has turned its focus to preventing the spread of imported cases of the virus, which has infected more than 120,000 people in over 100 countries. All foreign arrivals in Beijing are now subject to a mandatory 14-day quarantine.