BEIJING — China will hold the 129th session of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, online between April 15 and 24, the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said on March 17.

This is the third online session of the fair following two successful ones in June and October last year.

Continuing to hold the sessions online will consolidate the gains in the prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic, as well as social and economic development, the MOC said.

The fair will further play its role as a platform for all-round opening-up, and help maintain the smooth operation of the industrial and supply chains of foreign trade, the ministry added.

As China has recently eradicated absolute poverty and transitioned to rural revitalization, the fair will designate a special zone for companies from formerly poor areas, to introduce their products to international buyers, the MOC said.

Founded in 1957, the Canton Fair is seen as an important barometer of China's foreign trade. The 128th session attracted around 26,000 domestic and overseas enterprises, with more than 2.47 million products.