Online holding of the China Import and Export Fair, the country's largest-scale trade event, has effectively promoted trade exchanges and cooperation between China and other countries and regions in the world, amid the global COVID-19 pandemic, according to a senior commerce official.

The fair, internationally known as the Canton Fair, kicked off its 132nd session online on Saturday, attracting more than 35,000 domestic and overseas companies to display their products.

"Expanding the exhibition size, extending service time, enriching trade promotion activities, promoting interaction with cross-border e-commerce platforms, and optimizing online platform functions at the Canton Fair will provide enterprises and merchants in the world with more convenience of selling and buying," said Wang Wentao, minister of Commerce.

Wang made the remarks during a video speech to mark the online opening of the trade fair, usually held twice a year in April and October, in Guangzhou, the capita of Guangdong province.

"We will further strengthen the implementation of policies, ensure the stability of production and smooth logistics in foreign trade, and develop new business models such as cross-border e-commerce and overseas warehouses," said Wang.

Giving full attention to the platform role of important exhibitions such as the Canton Fair would help promote innovative development of trade, according to Wang.

As of the opening of the fair, more than 3.06 million products will be displayed online, according to the fair's organizers.

Usually seen as a barometer of China's foreign trade, the fair set up 50 sections for 16 categories. 416 companies from 34 countries and regions also displayed products online during the fair.

Moreover, 34,744 domestic companies, an increase of about 40 percent over the previous session, participated in the online exhibition, demonstrating their confidence in expanding overseas deals in the months ahead, according to the organizers.

Starting from the 132nd session, the fair's online platform service will be extended from 10 days to five months, allowing more exhibitors to expand their deals, according to Xu Bing, spokesman of the fair.