Two bees, called Hao Bao and Hao Ni, were named as the mascots of the China Import and Export Fair, commonly known as the Canton Fair, in Guangdong's provincial capital on Saturday.

Hao Bao is a boy's name, meaning precious. It symbolizes that the Canton Fair is a shining treasure in the history of China's foreign trade development and has made important contributions to China's opening to the outside world and economic and social development.

Hao Ni, a girl's name, indicates friendship and symbolizes that the Canton Fair is a link of friendship, a bridge of trade and a golden business card of China. It plays an important role in promoting friendly exchanges between Chinese and foreign people.

Chu Shijia, director of the China Foreign Trade Center, said bees symbolize loyalty, diligence, unity and dedication, and are a positive cross-cultural image symbol with very high international recognition.

"They perfectly correspond to the functions, positioning, roles and contributions of the Canton Fair, and can vividly reflect the spirit of the people of the Canton Fair who are loyal to their mission, brave in opening up, tenacity, reform and innovation," he said.

"And it reflects that China actively promotes the development of an open world economy and constructs a community with a shared future for mankind, and takes on the role of a big country with China's new development providing new opportunities for the world," Chu said.

"Today, at the important moment of the 130th celebration, I am pleased to inform you that the Canton Fair has its own mascot," Chu said.

"This is a major event and a happy event in the development history of the Canton Fair. It is also a long-awaited event for all people from all walks of life at home and abroad who care about and support the Canton Fair. It is of great significance to further enhance the influence and radiation mask of the Canton Fair," he added.

It is the first time the Canton Fair, which was first held in 1957 named its own mascot.

The 130th Canton Fair — the largest trade event held in the country — will officially kick off in Guangzhou both online and offline on Friday. The event is held twice a year in South China's Guangzhou, in spring and fall, playing a big part in China's reform and opening up drive and promoting China's foreign trade industry.