Innovative household products featuring multifunctionality and cultural designs have helped exhibitors to enhance international competitiveness at the ongoing 139th China Import and Export Fair, also known as Canton Fair, in Guangzhou City, south China's Guangdong Province.

A building material that can be used not only for wall decoration, but also as a screen after being charged with electricity, is shining at the building and furniture exhibition area of the event's second phase, running from April 23 to 27 under the theme of "Quality Home Life."

"It enables our building material to become smarter and more flexible. At present, the product has entered European and the U.S. markets for sale, and has been well received in the markets," said exhibitor Feng Liangcheng, general manager of international business at Phomi Holding, developer of the building material.

Many exhibitors have shown household products that integrate traditional Chinese aesthetics and modern industrial designs, such as a set of vase-shaped multifunctional tableware inspired by ancient China's Dunhuang culture.

"It's very impressive. It's something new and very interesting, innovative in some points while matching the cultural meaning of those products throughout the China history. That's what gets me the most, I guess," said Edoardo Orlandini, an Italian buyer.

The event also features an upgraded trade service area where 86 domestic design institutions are providing services for overseas purchasers and exhibitors, including not only industrial design, interior design and brand consulting services, but also new services like fashion design, artificial intelligence design and intangible cultural heritage design. It aims to create a platform where designers and manufacturers get in touch and closely cooperate.

The 139th Canton Fair, which opened on April 15, consists of three phases. The first phase, which concluded on April 19, was themed "advanced manufacturing," while the third phase, which will take place from May 1 to 5, will focus on "Better Life."