The newly FESPA-branded event will be managed in partnership between FESPA and CSGIA (China Screen Printing and Graphic Imaging Association), FESPA's associate member in China. FESPA China will represent screen printing and digital wide format printing, revitalising the established CSGIA event for the Chinese market. This CSGIA exhibition has been successfully staged annually since 1983, alternating between venues in Guangzhou and Shanghai, and attracting an increasing number of foreign exhibitors. The last CSGIA show in November 2011 covered a hall area of 25000m2, with more than 400 exhibitors and total attendance of over 18,000.

FESPA and CSGIA will also benefit from consultative support from ASGA (Asia Screen Printing and Graphic Imaging Association), the federation of Asian printing trade associations. ASGA has long-standing links with FESPA, and was a partner in the 2011FESPA Asia Summit and exhibition, both of which took place in Singapore. ASGA will host its annual meeting at FESPA China 2013, bringing a delegation of senior executives from the pan-Asian region.

The official statement issued by FESPA's Asia Ambassador Anders Nilsson stated, “The size and significance of the Chinese market justifies a dedicated presence and presents an opportunity to strengthen existing relationships and forge new ones with our members and the Asian print community.”

FESPA chief executive officer Nigel Steffens explained this decision saying, “We intend to apply our expertise to make FESPA China an even more compelling and worthwhile event for visitors. Our objective is to grow this show substantially, as we have done with the events we have taken on in other developing markets like Mexico and Brazil.”

PeiMrs Pei Guifan, chairman of CSGIA added, “We see digital printing technology playing a significant role in the future of print production in China, as government rules for manufacturing companies place increasing emphasis on sustainability. Our CSGIA show has traditionally focused on conventional screen printing technologies and consumables, but the time has come to ensure that visitors to our event can see the best of screen printing while also increasing their understanding of the opportunities that come with digital printing innovation. FESPA is the right partner to support us with this transition and to work with us to move the event forward in the future.”

FESPA looks to return with a FESPA Asia event in 2014, details of which are yet to be confirmed. Total attendance at FESPA Asia 2011 was 4500, with delegates from more than 34 countries. Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines were all strongly represented, with visitors also travelling to the show from Australia, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Vietnam, Japan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, as well as the USA and the UK

This new partnership, however, did not impact CSGIA 2012 that took place in Guangzhou from 14-16 November 2012. It attracted more than 14,000 visitors from over 40 countries and regions.