Hi,GBA

News and insights about China's Greater Bay Area (GBA). The GBA consists of the Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR, and nine cities of Guangdong province in South China.

[Hi,GBA @thisisGBA]

Is globalization really in retreat? The first phase of the 140th Canton Fair offers a different picture. The fair drew a record 189,000 overseas buyers from 214 countries and regions, up 13.3% from the same phase of the previous session.

So why do buyers keep coming back? The answer comes down to three things: competitive prices and quality, connections that are hard to replace, and a fair that never stops evolving.
@zhang_heqing @salahzhang

[Hi,GBA @thisisGBA]

#Culture | 🎨 A delegation of #US arts leaders visited the Bai'etan Greater Bay Area Art Center and Xinghai Concert Hall in Guangzhou!

They were deeply impressed by the immersive digital exhibitions, like the Chen Jialing Art Exhibition, which uses AI to animate traditional calligraphy and paintings.

Sean O'Harrow of the Bowers Museum praised their "strong" immersive presentations and proposed exchanging digital exhibits. Ding-Jo H. Currie of the Lingnan Foundation described the experience as "like astronauts going into space."

The delegation also enjoyed a pipa performance at Xinghai Concert Hall, opening new doors for Sino-US musical cooperation. 🤝

https://t.co/02JFnHxraD

#Guangzhou #China #ArtsExchange #ImmersiveArt #BaetanArtCenter #CulturalExchange #DigitalArt

[Hi,GBA @thisisGBA]

#Guangdong | 🌏 An Indian visitor shares his Guangdong story: "Not just a place on the map — a memory of friendship." Behind the modern cities, he found warmth and hospitality that made him feel like a friend. He believes India and #China, as ancient civilizations, have enormous potential for people-to-people ties. "Guangdong gave me memories, but more importantly, friendships." ❤️

https://t.co/02JFnHxraD

#India #CulturalExchange #Friendship

[Hi,GBA @thisisGBA]

🌸🍂 No autumn in Guangdong? The flowers beg to differ!

From pink kapok blossoms lining city streets to colorful bougainvillea and fields of golden and pale purple flowers, Guangdong is full of floral surprises this autumn. Take a look at the season through the lenses of IP GUANGDONG creators! 📸✨

Have you captured Guangdong in bloom? Share your photos at https://t.co/HdXkihPgfQ.

Dive in: https://t.co/qj8u8MI1OQ

#Guangdong #DiscoverGuangdong #AutumnInGuangdong #FlowerSeason #Guangzhou #Shenzhen #Foshan #Jiangmen #Maoming #Dongguan #ChinaTravel #NaturePhotography

[Hi,GBA @thisisGBA]

#Huizhou | 🌏 Keeping a century-old martial art alive across generations! Practitioners of dragon-shape kung fu from the UK, Ireland, Hong Kong and Guangzhou recently gathered in Xiaojinkou, Huizhou, for a cross-border martial arts exchange with local disciples.

Through demonstrations, weapons practice and discussions on the art's history and future, participants strengthened ties and explored ways to promote dragon-shape kung fu overseas. The visit also took them to Houwang Temple, where grandmaster Lin Yaogui once taught the traditional martial art. 🤝✨

Dive in: https://t.co/PqgLBTrsIt

#Guangdong #DragonShapeKungFu #ChineseMartialArts #LingnanCulture #IntangibleCulturalHeritage #CulturalExchange #TraditionalCulture #ChinaUK #PeopleToPeopleExchange

[Hi,GBA @thisisGBA]

Shanwei is gearing up for a major jewelry industry event! The 2026 Shanwei Jewelry Industry Conference will open on Nov. 1, bringing buyers and suppliers together for business matchmaking and industry exchange.💎✨

Highlights include the global unveiling of the Gemports International Colored Gemstone GPI Index, the launch of Shanwei's regional jewelry brand, and exhibitions across Meilong, Ketang and Changshawan, featuring a total of 3,600 booths. The conference and its eight parallel events will run through Nov. 3. 🤝💍

Dive in: https://t.co/qr3wB620oP

#Shanwei #Guangdong #JewelryIndustry #Gemstones #CantonFair #ChinaTrade #GlobalBusiness #Jewelry #Investment

[Hi,GBA @thisisGBA]

🎶🌏 Culture brings neighbors closer! The 14th Culture and Art Festival of Countries in the Lancang-Mekong River Basin opened in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, on Oct. 28, bringing together artists from China, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar.

From vibrant song and dance performances to photography exhibitions, a regional goods carnival and tea-music shows, the festival celebrates cultural diversity while strengthening people-to-people ties and cooperation in culture and tourism across the region. 🤝✨

Dive in: https://t.co/a04H9WlrZ1

#Xishuangbanna #Yunnan #LancangMekong #CulturalExchange #ChinaASEAN #TraditionalCulture #TourismCooperation #PeopleToPeopleExchange

[Hi,GBA @thisisGBA]

🍃☕ In Yunnan, China, some tea trees have stood for centuries — living witnesses to the region’s rich tea heritage.

On Nannuo Mountain in Xishuangbanna, ancient tea trees thrive amid misty hills and lush forests, producing leaves prized for Pu’er tea’s rich flavor, lingering sweetness and distinctive forest notes.

Today, Yunnan tea reaches 32 countries and regions worldwide, carrying the taste of China’s tea traditions across borders. 🌏🌱

Dive in: https://t.co/6MBGioRcNn

#Yunnan #Xishuangbanna #NannuoMountain #PuErTea #ChineseTea #TeaCulture #TeaHeritage #ChinaTravel #GlobalTrade

[Hi,GBA @thisisGBA]

🇬🇷❤️🇨🇳 For Greek buyer Vasiliki Grigoratou, China feels like a second home — and the Canton Fair has made her connection even more special!

At the "My Canton Fair Story" sharing session on Oct. 27, the Central Home sales and marketing director shared that both she and her company have Chinese names thanks to the fair. She says she is proud of her journey in China, where business has grown into a deeper cultural connection. 🤝✨

Dive in: https://t.co/03YDndNtfz

#CantonFair #Guangzhou #GreekBuyer #ChinaGreece #GlobalTrade #CulturalExchange #BusinessStories #FriendshipThroughTrade

[Hi,GBA @thisisGBA]

🌳🎧 In Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, even the trees have stories to tell!

More than 900 trees representing over 100 species now carry QR-code tags. Scan one to hear an audio introduction and explore detailed descriptions in English, making it easier for visitors to discover the region’s rich plant diversity. 🌿📱

Home to more than 5,000 higher plant species, Xishuangbanna is now expanding this smart plant guide system, with plans to cover public spaces and tourist destinations across the region over the next two years.

Dive in: https://t.co/xylpB9CTik

#Xishuangbanna #Yunnan #ChinaTravel #Biodiversity #PlantKingdom #SmartTourism #Ecotourism #NatureLovers #DiscoverChina

[Hi,GBA @thisisGBA]

🇨🇳🇯🇵 Former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, who championed dialogue and closer ties with China, passed away on Oct. 22 at the age of 90.

From supporting people-to-people exchanges to calling for respect for history and peace, Fukuda's approach offers a reminder that differences need not end dialogue. As China-Japan relations face challenges, his legacy highlights the importance of keeping communication open and strengthening ties through education, tourism and business.

Dive in: https://t.co/ECdyvShFPA

#ChinaJapanRelations #YasuoFukuda #ChinaJapan #Diplomacy #PeopleToPeopleExchanges #RegionalCooperation #Peace

[Hi,GBA @thisisGBA]

🌏🤝 Global business leaders are heading to Guangzhou! The 2026 GBA Global Investment Promotion Conference will take place on Nov. 3, with 254 companies confirmed to attend, including Fortune Global 500 firms and industry leaders such as Zeiss, BASF, Visa and ExxonMobil.

The event will spotlight investment opportunities across AI, biomedicine, semiconductors and more. Previous editions secured over 9 trillion yuan in signed projects, with more than 90% of projects from the first four conferences having started construction. 🚀

Dive in: https://t.co/thdGeezwti

#Guangdong #Guangzhou #GBA #GlobalInvestment #ForeignInvestment #AI #Semiconductors #Business #GreaterBayArea

[Hi,GBA @thisisGBA]

🌿🐦 At Shenquan Fishing Port in Huilai, Jieyang, lush greenery lines the shore as egrets rest among the branches. Clear waters and peaceful birdlife paint a tranquil picture of coastal nature. 🌊✨

Dive in: https://t.co/MwLkn2Ecu8

#Jieyang #Guangdong #ShenquanFishingPort #CoastalScenery #Egrets #Biodiversity #NatureLovers #DiscoverGuangdong

[Hi,GBA @thisisGBA]

#Sports |🏊 #Vietnam's Hanoi Finswimming Team wrapped up its training camp at the #Zhanjiang Diving School!

Preparing for Vietnam's 10th National Games, athletes trained in heated pools, focusing on underwater endurance, starts, turns, and strength. Coaches shared training ideas and plans, proving sports know no borders. 🤝

Vietnamese officials praised the top facilities and support, noting the camp greatly boosted their competitiveness. The event highlights Zhanjiang's role as a hub for international aquatic sports cooperation in the Beibu Gulf! 🌊

https://t.co/uZw5wYxV3x

#Finswimming #Vietnam #SportsExchange #AquaticSports #ChinaVietnam

[Hi,GBA @thisisGBA]

#Picture |🌸 In late October, Nanguo Tropical Garden in #Zhanjiang bursts into bloom!

A sea of pink, purple, and white flowers creates a colorful landscape under the warm autumn sun. Visitors stroll along the paths, capture beautiful moments, and children play beneath the trees — a relaxed, cheerful atmosphere fills the park. 🌺📸

https://t.co/9qBWPO4AOc

#NanguoTropicalGarden #AutumnFlowers #Guangdong #FloralDisplay #NatureBeauty #AutumnVibes #TravelGuangdong #ParkLife

[Hi,GBA @thisisGBA]

#Business | 🏭 The Canton Fair's impact extends to #Dongguan's factories! #Denmark's F&H Group visited partner Shengyilong on Oct 22. Connected via the fair, they now have annual orders worth ~100 million yuan. F&H's Asia GM noted Dongguan has evolved beyond cost advantages into strong design and R&D, focusing future ties on tech collaboration. 🤝

https://t.co/HozB5cTwVD

#CantonFair #Manufacturing #GlobalTrade

[Hi,GBA @thisisGBA]

#Business | 🏗️ RAK Properties CEO Sameh Muhtadi sees huge potential in #Guangdong! With 20,000 homes planned over five years, he's seeking Chinese contractors, furniture suppliers, and hospitality partners. "I've had 20-25 meetings already," he said. They're also bringing Chinese brands to UAE malls. 🤝

https://t.co/98HvGgMLMC

#RAKProperties #UAE #GBA #BusinessCooperation

[Hi,GBA @thisisGBA]

#Exhibition | 🎨 Two traditional folk #art exhibitions open in #Shenzhen on Nov 3 ahead of #APEC!

See 150+ Shanhua Award-winning works (ceramics, embroidery, wood carving) at Sea World Culture & Arts Center, plus 70 Guangdong masterpieces featuring #Cantonese embroidery and porcelain painting. Both run through Nov 22, showcasing how tradition meets modern life! ✨

https://t.co/kLRVVCn7A7

#FolkArt #ChineseCraftsmanship #APEC2026

[Hi,GBA @thisisGBA]

⚽️ Real Madrid has apologized to the Chinese people over Kylian Mbappé's inappropriate remarks.

In a statement on Wednesday, the club expressed "profound respect for China, its history, its culture and its citizens," joining the player's public apology.

The controversy has had commercial fallout: Dongpeng Beverage, Mengniu, and Milkground ended their partnerships with Mbappé, and China Media Group suspended La Liga broadcasts. The China Football Association demanded formal apologies from both the player and the club.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said China attaches importance to Mbappé's apology. 🤝

#RealMadrid #Mbappé #China #Apology #Football #ChinaFootballAssociation #LaLiga #Respect #SportsNews

[Hi,GBA @thisisGBA]

⚽ LaLiga has apologized to Chinese fans over the controversy surrounding Kylian Mbappé's remarks, saying it "deeply regrets" the offense caused.

In a statement released Tuesday, the Spanish football league stressed that Mbappé's comments were his personal expression and did not represent LaLiga's position. It apologized on behalf of the league and all its clubs.

#LaLiga #KylianMbappe #RealMadrid #China #ChineseFans #FootballNews #SpanishFootball #SportsNews #PublicRelations

[Hi,GBA @thisisGBA]

⚽ French football star Kylian Mbappé has apologized for his controversial remarks about China, which sparked widespread criticism.

In a statement released Tuesday, the Real Madrid forward acknowledged that his comment was "ill-judged" and had hurt people in China and Chinese communities around the world. He expressed regret and emphasized his respect for the Chinese people and their history.

#KylianMbappe #Mbappe #China #RealMadrid #FootballNews #Apology #SportsNews #ChinaNews #SocialMedia #PublicRelations

[Hi,GBA @thisisGBA]

#Legal | 🏛️ The 2026 FDI Moot global finals opened in #Shenzhen (Oct 23–27) — the first time in #China! Nearly 400 law students from 33 countries are competing in English. #SCIA noted this marks a historic moment for Shenzhen's role in global arbitration. In 2025, SCIA handled 14,000+ cases worth 154.3 billion yuan. ⚖️

https://t.co/g9HJ374vx1

#FDIMoot #Arbitration #InternationalLaw