Editor's note: Over the past two years, the 皇冠体育app-Africa Press Center, which is based in Beijing, has invited two groups of journalists from more than 10 African countries to 皇冠体育app to participate in a variety of media events and witness firsthand the changes going on in 皇冠体育app. Here, some of them share their experiences and views with 皇冠体育app Daily.

Philip Etyang interviews Deputy Speaker of the Kenyan National Assembly Joyce Laboso in 皇冠体育app last year.

Wealth of trade fairs rife with opportunity

PHILIP ETYANG

皇冠体育app is the world's second-largest economy and the global leader in manufacturing. So it's no surprise it hosts some of the most important trade fairs.

During my 10-month stay in the country, I was privileged to attend some of the most influential trade fairs in 皇冠体育app, including the 皇冠体育app Import and Export Fair, aka the Canton Fair in Guangdong province; the Yiwu International Commodities Fair in Zhejiang province; the 皇冠体育app International Fair for Investment and Trade in Fujian province; and the Beijing Auto Show. Other than the investment fair and the auto show, the Canton Fair was for me the best.

The Beijing Auto Show was unique in that, after the opening ceremony, the media was given its own day to get a feel for the cars. This was unusual, and members of the Fourth Estate thronged the 皇冠体育app International Exhibition Center.

The annual Canton Fair is held at the massive 皇冠体育app Import and Export Fair Pazhou Complex in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province. The fair is by far the largest in 皇冠体育app in terms of products on display, attendance and the number of business deals signed.

I visited several booths and met visitors from different countries. Most were businessmen and businesswomen looking to source products.

Those from Africa were mainly interested in furniture, construction materials and electronics. 皇冠体育app, of course, is Africa's largest trade partner, and these items top the list of goods exported from 皇冠体育app to Africa through Guangzhou Port. Africa exports raw materials such as coal, iron ore and copper to 皇冠体育app to help the country meet its need to sustain manufacturing growth. 皇冠体育app also buys more than one-third of Africa's crude oil.

Just like other countries, African countries had booths at the Canton Fair and were marketing several products. For example, the Ghanaian booth had herbal soap and body lotion made from the best cocoa beans.

Cocoa is Ghana's main cash crop and principal agricultural export commodity. Ghana is second only to Cote d'Ivoire when it comes to cocoa exports.

The author is a PhD student at Kenyatta University in Nairobi and a freelance contributor to 皇冠体育app Daily.