By Sohaib Shams
The "China Haul" trend is drawing foreign buyers to the China Import and Export Fair, known as the Canton Fair, in Guangzhou where they are filling suitcases with Chinese-made technology and lifestyle products.
Technology draws emotional responses
A British woman with mobility limitations discarded her wheelchair after trying a Chinese-made exoskeleton robot at the fair, moving her son to place an immediate order for the device. He said he had never seen anything like it in the United Kingdom or Europe.
Vlogger calls fair a glimpse of the future
Venezuelan vlogger Rafael Saavedra described the exhibition as a place where visitors can see, touch, and test tomorrow's consumer technology, from errand-running robots to massage chairs.
Buyers captivated by AI and robotics
The fair, which opened on 15 October and runs through 4 November, has seen foreign visitors captivated by artificial intelligence-based toys, humanoid robots, and other smart devices, with some placing orders on the spot.
Trend extends beyond travel memories
Following last year's "China Travel" boom that brought millions of overseas visitors, the latest trend shows many are returning home with Chinese brands — from drones and foldable smartphones to sports shoes and AI-powered toys — signalling a shift from affordability to innovation.
Official data shows strong recovery
China recorded 23.72 million visa-free entries by foreign nationals from January to August, up 26.8 per cent year-on-year, according to the National Immigration Administration. Overseas visitors spent 263.6 billion yuan (£29.5 billion) in the first seven months, a 27.8 per cent increase over the same period a year earlier.
Government pledges wider opening
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a news conference on 16 October that China will continue opening its doors wider to allow more foreign visitors to understand the country through two-way exchanges.
International retailers benefit from visitor surge
Inditex, owner of Zara and Massimo Dutti, reported that the share of sales generated by overseas visitors at its flagship stores in Shanghai has risen more than 10 per cent year on year, attributing the increase to central locations, distinctive shopping experiences, product assortment, and China's convenient departure tax refund policy.
Beijing retail complex sees similar growth
Taikoo Li Sanlitun in Beijing reported a clear upward trend in overseas visitors. General manager CT Ma said international shoppers are interested not only in global luxury brands but also in Chinese brands that combine local cultural elements with contemporary design, particularly sportswear and lifestyle products.
"They are no longer coming only to see China. They are coming to discover what China makes, what China designs and, increasingly, what China creates," Ma said.
