Years of success thanks to premier

By YUAN SHENGGAO

Since the beginning of the Canton Fair, China’s leaders have attached great importance to this national event for foreign trade.

As premier, Zhou Enlai (1898-1976) visited the first session of the Canton Fair on April 25, 1957.

Back then, the official name of the event was the China Export Commodities Fair. Zhou suggested that the event could be called the Canton Fair for short, as it was held in Guangzhou, a city known as Canton among foreigners.

The Canton Fair immediately became accepted among the international business community. With its growing influence, the fair has developed into an established event that serves as a showcase of China’s opening-up and a barometer of China’s foreign-oriented economy.

Zhou visited the fair eight times. It is believed the growth and success of the event was influenced by the guidance and care of the premier.

Shi Meisi, former reporter of Xinhua News Agency, recalled Zhou’s visit to the fair in April 1970.

Zhou had been in Guangzhou for a meeting with state leaders from Southeast Asia.

“After a busy day of meetings, Premier Zhou visited the Canton Fair venue between 0:30 am and 4:15 am on April 26,” Shi said.

The reporter said Zhou was very concerned with international market dynamics and the product quality of manufacturers.

“When talking with an official in charge of tea exports, Zhou learned that the black tea products didn’t sell well in the international market.

“He required officials and manufacturers to carefully study the international market to develop better-selling varieties for clients,” Shi said.