Creative "garment" made from pink stone. [Photo/Xiamen Daily]

The 26th China Xiamen International Stone Fair, an annual global gathering for the stone industry, opened on March 16 at the Xiamen International Conference and Exhibition Center and will run through March 19.

This year's fair spans 191,000 square meters and includes 24 halls and eight zones, bringing together 2,000 global brands. First-time exhibitors are particularly prominent, making up around 20 percent of the total.

Embracing the "debut economy" model, the fair includes everything from block units and engineered stone to machinery tools and chemical maintenance products in a dedicated all-category debut zone. 

As a prime platform for annual product launches, 43 companies will unveil 59 new products in five specialized sessions: new quarries, wire saws, machinery tools, engineered stone and new building materials, and chemical maintenance.

Xiamen Stone Fair attracts many visitors. [Photo/Xiamen Daily]

International participation has reached new heights at this year's fair — 300 exhibitors from 40 countries and regions are showcasing in the international pavilion, alongside eight national delegations from major stone-producing regions including Turkiye, Italy, and Iran. 

Over the course of the four-day event, more than 150,000 buyers and visitors from 120 countries and regions are set to gather in Xiamen. Overseas pre-registrations are up 11.78 percent from the last edition, with the top five source markets including India, South Korea, and Australia.

Experts recommended by domestic and international industry associations will take the stage at the educational sessions, while 45 design and operations firms from various cities will join in-depth industry study tours in Xiamen. 

Traditional stone lions appear at the Xiamen Stone Fair. [Photo/Xiamen Daily]

A dedicated team will track buyer needs year-round and facilitate precise matchmaking on site, offering major buyers free advisory services before, during, and after the event.