China's largest trade fair on Tuesday concluded its 117th session in the southern province of Guangdong by announcing a declining number of buyers and transaction volume, suggesting tough export prospects for China.

The biannual China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, is seen as a barometer of China's exports.

Its 117th session was attended by 184,801 buyers, down 0.7 percent from the 116th session. Its transaction volume of 172 billion yuan (28 bln U.S. dollars) was also lower than the 179 bln yuan of the previous session, said spokesman Liu Jianjun.

Among the buyers, the number from Europe slumped by 17.88 percent, but those from countries along the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road increased by 0.8 percent, thanks to China's promotion of the initiative.

The Canton Fair is held biannually in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong, every spring and autumn. The 117th edition started on April 15.

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