This editor’s note highlights the key facts and market implications behind “Innovation Sets Sail: The 42nd China (Foshan) Ce”, with emphasis on sourcing, product fit, fabrication, logistics, or buyer impact.
On April 18, the 42nd China (Foshan) International Ceramics and Sanitaryware Expo officially opened at the exhibition halls of the Foshan International Conference and Exhibition Center. As a bellwether and barometer for the ceramics and sanitaryware industry, this edition of the expo, themed "Innovation," brought together nearly 300 attendees, including distinguished guests from chambers of commerce in Kyrgyzstan, Cambodia, Russia, Australia, and Spain; representatives from all levels of the Foshan municipal government; delegates from national and regional industry associations; exhibitors; distributors; designers; and media. Together, they unveiled the 42nd China (Foshan) Ceramics Expo. At the opening ceremony, the China Building Ceramics & Sanitaryware Association, the China Ceramic Industry Association, the China Building Materials Circulation Association, along with several provincial ceramic industry associations and Chinese ceramic enterprises, jointly released the "Innovation Declaration." The declaration commits to reducing carbon emissions at the production end through green intelligent manufacturing, building a product lifecycle service system, and accelerating the application of artificial intelligence in production decision-making.
Opening Ceremony of the 42nd China (Foshan) Ceramics Expo
Fan Ruixin, Secretary-General of the China Ceramic Industry Association, served as the master of ceremonies for the opening ceremony, presenting detailed data to showcase the expo's historical milestones: from its inaugural edition in 2002, with 60,000 square meters of exhibition space and 500 participating enterprises, to today's 500,000-square-meter global trade platform featuring over 800 domestic and international brands. The expo has achieved a leapfrog development from a regional exhibition to an international benchmark. He particularly noted that the expo's radiation scope has expanded from Guangdong to 17 provincial industrial belts, including Shandong, Fujian, and Jiangxi, attracting exhibitors from over a dozen countries such as Russia and Cambodia to co-build an ecosystem. It has facilitated precise matchmaking for 1.2 million global buyers and helped over 2,000 ceramic and sanitaryware brands establish international supply chain systems, truly becoming "the core gateway connecting Chinese ceramics with the world." Gong Wei, Vice President of the China Building Ceramics & Sanitaryware Association, stated in his address that the China (Foshan) Ceramics Expo has become a key window for global customers to decode "Made in China" quality. "It allows Chinese ceramics to go global from here, and it lets the world understand Chinese ceramics here." He added that the association will continue to support the Foshan Ceramics Expo's innovation in the directions of "digitalization, internationalization, and branding," contributing to the industry's high-quality development. Xue Peihua, Deputy District Mayor of Chancheng District People's Government, noted that Foshan, as the "World Ceramics Capital," is fully committed to building a pilot zone for technological innovation services in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The 42nd China (Foshan) Ceramics Expo is not only a launchpad for new technologies and products but also, through 12 consumer promotion activities linked with hotels, commercial districts, and scenic spots, provides convenience for customers, stimulates market consumption vitality, and achieves mutual integration and promotion between exhibition services and consumer services.
The 42nd China (Foshan) Ceramics Expo Welcomes a Large Number of Customers
Chen Xinwen, Vice Mayor of Foshan Municipal People's Government, proposed in his address to drive the industry's leap from traditional manufacturing to artistic intelligent manufacturing with innovation as the foundation; to build a low-carbon system across the entire chain with green principles as the base; to develop cross-sector "ceramics black technology" with demand as the guide; and to construct a global industrial ecosystem with openness as the link. He emphasized that the Foshan Ceramics Expo should open a new chapter of "using ceramics as a medium for mutual civilization appreciation," promoting the modernization of traditional industries and the globalization of Chinese ceramics.
Zhou Jun, Co-Chairman of Foshan Zhongtaocheng Group, stressed that this edition of the expo helps enterprises break through via four major innovative measures:
First, International Pavilion to Expand Markets: A dedicated international pavilion has been added, hosting three major international procurement events—the RCEP Ceramic Slab & Sanitaryware Sourcing Conference, the Russia Sourcing Festival, and the China-Korea Ceramic & Sanitaryware Exchange Sharing Session—with targeted organization of overseas buying groups to help enterprises expand international markets and create integrated domestic and foreign trade channels.
Second, Global Resources for Stronger Connections: A promotion network covering 15 countries and 78 cities has been built, collaborating with over 50 domestic and international chambers of commerce to drive "Buy Global, Sell Global."
Third, Precise Channels to Seize Opportunities: Over 50 summit forums will be held, focusing on distributor service transformation, designer product selection evaluations, and urban renewal markets worth trillions.
Fourth, Deep Online-Offline Integration: An intelligent customer service system and the "Black Card Plan" have been launched, enabling seamless exhibition visits and services, while leveraging Foshan's cultural tourism resources to boost consumption.
It is understood that to meet the diverse needs of enterprises and audiences, the 42nd China (Foshan) Ceramics Expo has carefully planned three exhibition halls and 12 themed exhibition zones. Each hall has its own characteristics, and the themed zones cover all areas of ceramics and sanitaryware products—from high-end customized artistic ceramics to smart-tech-enabled sanitaryware, from green and eco-friendly building ceramics to personalized creative ceramics. This provides participating enterprises with a platform to precisely showcase their product advantages and offers audiences a splendid feast of ceramics and sanitaryware products. (Reporter: Hu Xiaoyuan; Photos provided by the organizer)
Top image: The 42nd China (Foshan) Ceramics Expo releases the "Innovation Declaration"
