BEIJING — China will hold the 128th session of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, online between Oct 15 and 24, the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said on Sept 10.

This is the second online session of the fair due to the COVID-19 epidemic. The previous session of the fair was successfully moved online in June.

Holding the session online will enable the fair to further play its role as a platform for all-around opening-up, and promote the stable and healthy development of foreign trade amid epidemic control while focusing on industrial and supply chains in the sector, MOC spokesperson Gao Feng noted at a press conference.

Founded in 1957, the Canton Fair is seen as an important barometer of China's foreign trade. The 127th session in June drew nearly 26,000 domestic and foreign enterprises, with 1.8 million products exhibited.