Core summary:In September 2026, the foreign trade industry ushered in two major signals: First, the 140th Canton Fair launched 22 smart application scenarios and 16 AI special applications for the first time, and AI fully penetrated the entire foreign trade chain; Second, from January to August my country's imports increased by 22%, the fastest growth rate since 2021. It is expected that the annual import volume will exceed 20 trillion yuan for the first time.
1. The 140th Canton Fair: AI has been comprehensively upgraded, and foreign trade has entered the intelligent era
On September 18, the State Council Information Office held a press conference and officially announced that the 140th Canton Fair will kick off on October 15. The biggest highlight of this year's QHG 0Q isAI is fully empowered：
- Launched 22 smart application scenarios and 16 AI featured applications for the first timeIt is the first in the domestic exhibition industry to realize booth level navigation and booth AR information display for the entire museum
- 64% of exhibitors apply new technologies such as industrial Internet and artificial intelligence, more than 11,000 high-quality enterprises such as specialization, innovation, and individual champions
- New products and green products accounted for 23.2% and 26% respectively, both hit record highs
- AI note taking function: Buyers shoot exhibits and negotiate voices, and the system automatically generates summaries
- Intelligent screening of high-intention customers, automatically archive after the exhibition to achieve accurate matching
Assistant Minister of Commerce Zhang Li said:"Currently, foreign trade companies are accelerating their transformation from 'taking orders and selling products' to 'building systems and providing excellent service'. "This means that the traditional model of waiting for visitors to exhibitors is outdated, and AI intelligent customer acquisition has become an indispensable ability for foreign trade companies.
2. Foreign trade data: Import growth rate hit a five-year high
General Administration of Customs of ChinaThe latest data shows:
- From January to August 2026, my country's imports increased by 22%, the fastest growth rate since 2021
- It is expected that the annual import volume will exceed 20 trillion yuan for the first time
- Exports of mechanical and electrical products increased by 26.2% in August, hit a monthly record high, maintaining double-digit growth for nine consecutive months
- my country's monthly import growth rate has exceeded exports for six consecutive months, and the foreign trade structure continues to be optimized.
3. QHG 0Q: From optional to mandatory
From the AI application of Canton Fair to the structural changes in foreign trade data, we can see a clear trend:AI has changed from a "bonus item" for foreign trade companies to a "must-have option".
For factories and foreign trade companies, the question they face now is not "whether to use AI", but "how to use AI to efficiently obtain customers":
- find customers: AI intelligent search allows the entire network to accurately mine target customers and no longer rely on exhibitions and B2B platforms
- Screen customers: Multi-dimensional screening to accurately target high-intention customers and increase conversion rates
- with customers: Automatic follow-up, multilingual communication, 24 hours a day
4. Qihang AI: Dual-Track Customer Acquisition leader
As the local Dual-Track Customer Acquisition service provider of Cangzhou, Qihang AI focuses on helping factories gain overseas customers through AI technology:
- Target inquiry volume agreed according to cooperation plan, no charge will be charged for inaccurate inquiries
- Yiwu207-person technical teamContinue to iterate AI systems
- National comprehensive services, integrate online and offline docking to respond promptly
Consult now and get the exclusive foreign trade customer extension plan for free!
Get free customer extension solutions
Information source:Ministry of Commerce, General Administration of Customs of China, State Council Information Office, CCTV News, Xinhuanet
Release time:September 19, 2026
