At this year's Toronto Trade Show, Wan Bing said the growing popularity of Chinese baijiu reflected how far the liquor has come in the Canadian market.

"Back in 2010, there was almost no Chinese baijiu (liquor distilled from fermented sorghum) in Canada," he told China Daily. "Now, nearly 90 percent of famous Chinese brands are here."

The 2025 Toronto Trade Show and China-Canada Business Expansion Expo was held Aug 30-31 in Markham, Ontario, bringing together more than 80 exhibitors from China and Canada.

Organizers said the event is one of the largest trade fairs in the Greater Toronto Area this year, featuring sectors from logistics and e-commerce to food, health products and cultural tourism.

When Wan moved from China to Canada 15 years ago, he brought with him not only a business plan but also a passion for promoting baijiu.

After years in the liquor industry in Sichuan province, he founded a company in 2010 to introduce baijiu to the Canadian market and later established the Chinese Liquor Culture Canada Association.

He added that baijiu sales through the Liquor Control Board of Ontario rose about 25 percent in the first three quarters of this year.

"Before, Chinese baijiu was hidden in the corner of the store," Wan said. "Now it's placed in the most visible spot. That shows recognition." He said he believes greater awareness of baijiu's cultural heritage will attract even more attention.

"More people in mainstream society are paying attention to our baijiu," he said.

For Wan, the progress of Chinese baijiu in Canada shows the potential of cultural and commercial exchange. "Foreigners may not yet put Chinese liquor as their main choice, but they are watching closely," he said. "That gives us confidence to keep moving forward."

For other exhibitors, the trade show was an opportunity to introduce advanced technology and unique products to Canadian buyers.

Zhou Yaohua, representing a smart warehousing solutions provider from Qingdao, Shandong province, said his team designs and installs customized storage systems.

"The technology is already widely used in China, and the market there is becoming saturated," he told China Daily. "But in Canada, traditional warehousing is outdated. Bringing our technology here has real advantages."

He noted that their technology is ready for global expansion, but he recognized challenges ahead.

"The biggest difficulty is the mindset. In warehousing, Canadians are more conservative and less open to new approaches compared with people in China.

"Technology is not a problem for us — we are very mature — but adapting to the market will take time," Zhou said.

Yao Mengming displayed local specialties such as coffee, tea and nuts from Yunnan province. She said her company's aim was to showcase the distinctive flavors of her province.

She highlighted innovative instant concentrates.
"Coffee and tea are processed into extracts," she said. "You just add water. There is no need for complicated brewing."

"We hope to promote Yunnan's specialty products," Yao said. "These are products with growing potential, and we want to introduce them to international markets."

Sustainability was another theme. Wang Yubin, general manager of a green enterprise from Qufu, Shandong, specializing in developing and producing fully biodegradable materials and products, presented packaging designed to replace conventional plastics.

"Our material degrades in 180 days into carbon dioxide and water," Wang told China Daily.

"It's not plastic. Conventional plastics do not degrade easily and cause environmental pollution. Our product, by contrast, leaves no harmful residue," he said.

He added that the technology is already competitive.
"In the past, the price was very high," he said. "Now it is almost the same as plastic. For protecting the environment, this is the best solution."

Canada began implementing a ban on plastics as early as 2022. Wang said many visitors expressed interest, and he was ready to explore cooperation with Canadian buyers.

"Many people asked whether we had agents or how they could get the product," he said. "If someone wants to cooperate, I can ship the products to Canada. This is something good for future generations."

He highlighted the broader environmental significance. "This is a good product that benefits humanity," he said. "Plastic use is too large and the pollution is too serious. Our solution is affordable now, almost the same price as plastic."

Exhibitors agreed that the trade show provided valuable opportunities to engage with local partners.
"We can learn directly what customers here need," Zhou said. "Then we can adjust our products to fit this market."

Lena Xu, president of the Canada-China Enterprise Overseas Service Center and the event's organizer, said the inaugural show brought together around 60 Chinese exhibitors showcasing technology, consumer products and industrial solutions.

"The content this time is very rich and full, and it can provide resources for Canadian buyers," she told China Daily.

Xu acknowledged that organizing the fair came with hurdles. "It took us nearly eight months of preparation," she said.

"Visas were a challenge. But finally, with the support of the Chinese consulate and the Canadian government, about 95 percent of exhibitors got their visas smoothly," she said.

She noted that the event was operated on a non-profit basis. "We basically gave the booths to exhibitors at very low prices," Xu said. "The main purpose is to drive trade between China and Canada."

Government and business associations on both sides also played a role. "They helped us find exhibitors in China, and here they promoted the show and brought their member companies to participate.

"Our original intention is to build a bridge, to help Chinese companies go overseas, and to help their products land in North America," Xu said.

Looking ahead, Xu pointed to opportunities in multiple industries.
"China is a major exporter in manufacturing and light industry," she said. "Food, light industry, pet products, high technology — all of these can be developed in North America if there is demand."

Among the Canadian participants was Matteo Merla, an entrepreneur based in Hamilton, Ontario. His business involves importing trees from Germany and planting them in Canada for lumber production.

"I started two years ago with the trees, importing them from Germany to Canada," he told China Daily. "Right now, we have 25 acres, 15,000 trees."

Merla said he values the chance to connect with Chinese companies.
"I believe so much in China. I'll be very honest. They're very powerful and smart," he said. "And I want to build business with them. That's why I'm here. Very simple."

He added that his goal in participating in the expo was to expand his network and attract investment.

"The mentality is very entrepreneurial," he said of the Chinese business community. "They're also very much team workers. If I give you something, you give me something back. That's why I'm here today."

Merla said his products could also serve the Chinese market.

"Our product already exists in China," he said. "We can make it on a high level as well, because we have all the water here and the properties which allow us to give the Chinese market a very good product at a very good price."

For Xu and other organizers, the fair's success lies in creating connections like these. "We hope to truly help Chinese products land in North America," she said.