The twice-a-year fair usually draws more than 180,000 foreign buyers and 25,000 Chinese vendors to the southern city of
The saleswoman for
“It will look like dancing girls when your little girl wears it,” said the saleswoman, who gave her name as Sophia. “If you want more choices, please contact me right now,” Sophia said, pointing to an instant message link on the screen, “or send me an email.”
The fair, founded in 1957, was for decades Chinese exporters’ main link to foreign buyers. It faces growing competition from companies such as Hong Kong’s Global Sources and China’s
Orders at last year’s spring session, which attracted 195,000 buyers, totaled
This year, it isn't clear yet how many buyers have followed vendors to the website.
“Not many foreign customers visit us online,” said Honeyong's sales manager,
To manage its online bazaar, the Chinese government turned to tech giant
The video platform includes technology that produces a three-dimensional digital image of a product that potential buyers can turn around and see from different angles, according to
Last year,
The coronavirus pandemic “means we have to pioneer the 21st-century trade show,” said
Still, the internet is no substitute for meeting vendors in person, said
“That’s absolutely what it’s all about,” said Sillitoe. “The virtual fair isn’t a replacement for being on the ground in China.”
On another channel, an employee of
The 800-employee company in
“We didn’t have many customers visiting us online,” said Yu. “Customers hope to see products in person.”
Honeyong exports 90% of its products to
Honeyong built a studio and spent three months preparing for its online sales debut, said Wan.
“We still think this is worth it so long as more people get to know our company and products,” she said.
AP researcher
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