The First Senior Officials' Meeting and Related Meetings (SOM1), the first event of APEC China 2026, are being held in Guangzhou from February 1 to 10. During this period, delegates will have the opportunity to explore the mega-capital city and gain valuable insights into urban governance.
As a trading center with thousands of years of history, Guangzhou has developed into a hub city with comprehensive transportation and trade networks. These essential infrastructures facilitate seamless cross-border flows of passengers, goods, and services, driving global economic cooperation. Follow GO Guangdong to discover how this network enhances Guangzhou's global connectivity.
Guangzhou tops Chinese mainland in Southeast Asia air routes
As the flagship aviation hub of Guangzhou, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) has been ranked among the top ten busiest airports in the world. It operates more than 140 international routes, covering daily flights to major cities. It also holds the highest Southeast Asia route density among the airports in the Chinese mainland.
After its Phase III expansion, the airport is expected to have a designed capacity of 120 million passengers and 3.8 million tons of cargo annually in 2030.
The airport features the largest single-building terminal in the world. With the opening of Terminal 3 and the fifth runway, it became China's first airport to operate five commercial runways, establishing a comprehensive transportation hub with seamless direct air-land transfer.
The airport enhances Guangzhou's position as an international aviation hub by promoting cross-border trade and personnel exchanges, as well as supporting the development of a nearby airport industrial cluster. Additionally, its bonded zone includes China's first dual pre-positioned cargo terminals, meaning civil aviation security and customs inspections are conducted in advance, and offers 24-hour customs clearance to improve logistics efficiency.
Nansha Port Area ships to all key ports across Asia
Nansha Port serves as the core of Guangzhou's maritime hub. In 2025, its container throughput exceeded 22.6 million TEUs, with over 50 percent attributed to foreign trade, establishing it as a key pillar of China's foreign trade logistics. The port operates 178 international shipping routes, 153 of which connect to Belt and Road countries. Integrated with China-Europe and China-Central Asia freight trains, Nansha Port facilitates seamless sea-rail intermodal transport, linking cargo between Europe, Central Asia, and Asia-Pacific ports.
Home to South China's largest cold chain logistics center, featuring 460,000 tons of cold storage capacity, Nansha Port is the country's leading entry point for durians and cherries. Chilean cherries can arrive by sea in 22 days and reach the market within as little as 2 hours after customs clearance. The port offers 24/7 clearance services, including "direct pick-up at ship side" and "advance declaration" logistics efficiency.
Canton Fair cements trade ties with 229 countries and regions
The Canton Fair is China's longest-running and largest comprehensive trade event, playing a significant role in global economic and trade cooperation. Since its inception in 1957, it has attracted over 13 million overseas buyers, offering a vast platform for numerous Chinese enterprises to expand globally. At the fair, these enterprises connect with international partners, showcase their competitive products, and explore emerging markets.
Today, the Canton Fair has established stable trade ties with 229 countries and regions, encompassing nearly all major economies and markets worldwide. It has achieved a cumulative export turnover exceeding 1.5 trillion dollars.
In 2025, Guangzhou's import and export volume with other APEC economies reached 689.58 billion yuan, representing a year-on-year increase of 2.2 percent. As a vital bridge connecting Chinese products to the global market, the Canton Fair underscores Guangzhou's status as an international business hub, continuously fostering win-win cooperation between China and countries worldwide.
Reporter丨Wang Shuhan, Zhou Jiyin
Editor | Yin Juewen
Poster丨Yang Chenyue