NEWS

More than 100 domestic and foreign companies participated in the Yunfu International Stone Technology Exhibition

On October 14th, the Guangdong Provincial Government held a press conference where it was announced that over 100 renowned domestic and international companies have registered to participate in the 21st Yufeng International Stone Technology Expo.

Yufeng is known as the “Capital of Chinese Artificial Stone” and the “Hometown of Chinese Folk Culture (Stone Carving) Art,” and it ranks as one of the world’s three major stone distribution centers. With a rich history and sophisticated craftsmanship in stone processing, the stone industry has become one of Yufeng’s key foreign trade sectors, boasting nearly 100 exporting enterprises in the region. According to statistics from Yufeng Customs, stone product exports from Yufeng experienced a year-on-year growth of 13.1% from January to August of this year, reaching over 100 countries and regions, including the United States, Australia, Malaysia, and Vietnam.

Yuxi Xing, Deputy Director of the Yufeng Industrial and Information Bureau, highlighted that the stone industry in Yufeng has seen significant growth in recent years. With ongoing development, the number of market participants in the local stone sector has exceeded 7,000, employing more than 200,000 individuals.

The city has implemented various support policies, such as the “Yufeng City Support Policy for the High-Quality Development of the Stone Industry (Trial),” focusing on strengthening enterprises, promoting cluster development, and fostering innovation. In 2023, over 8 million yuan has been allocated in subsidies. Actively engaging with global markets, Yufeng has established trade relations with over 100 countries and regions, with trade volumes rapidly increasing—particularly with RCEP member countries—where exports have grown by more than 30% year-on-year in 2023.

In mid-October, Guangdong Yufeng will host a series of RCEP Industry Cooperation events, including the second Yufeng (Emerging) Metal Manufacturing Expo and the 21st Yufeng International Stone Technology Expo, alongside the 15th Yufeng Stone Culture Week. These events aim to create a platform for communication and exchange among industries like metal manufacturing and stone, further enhancing the influence of Yufeng’s stainless steel and stone sectors.

The 21st Yufeng International Stone Technology Expo, themed “Lingnan Ancestor Ground—China’s Stone Capital,” will feature nine major exhibition areas, including high-end slabs, quarry resources, and smart machinery, with over 100 high-quality exhibition booths. This year’s expo is breaking from tradition by closely integrating the stone exhibition with the Stone Culture Week, promising exhibitors and visitors a more enjoyable experience.

Yuxi Xing also noted that compared to previous years, this year’s expo covers various fields, including high-end slabs, quarrying resources, smart machinery, and artistic design. A national first, the “Stone Purchasing Festival,” will take place during the event, featuring over 3,000 stone vendors offering discounts and promotions across a wide range of products.

Additionally, a cross-border e-commerce initiative will support the “Hundred-Thousand Project” with international live-streaming events aimed at enhancing Yufeng stone’s visibility and influence abroad. Other activities will include initiatives for the digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises, discussions on drafting international standards for stone products, and exchanges focused on the synergy between stone culture and high-quality development, all geared towards promoting the transformation, upgrade, and innovative development of the stone industry.