NEW York, Tues.- China yesterday issued its first known invitation to an American company to attend the Canton Trade Fair.

    David C. Buxbaum, chairman of the May Lee Import-Export Corporation and a subsidiary Asian Development Business Services Limited, said that he had received an invitation from the Chinese Trade Commission in Ottawa, Canada, inviting his company to participate in the Canton Fair.

    May Lee, a public company incorporated in 1970, imports Chinese products through Hong Kong including rugs, jewellery and furniture,

    The Canton Fair is China’s most important foreign trade event. It is held twice a year on April 15 and October 15.

    The main purpose of the Fair is to provide a center to which foreign traders can come to purchase Chinese products.

    About 50 per cent of China’s US$2,000 million worth of exports, which include textiles, soyabeans, animal products, minerals, pharmaceuticals and carpets ate sold at the Fair.

    The Chinese also buy at the Fair, which attracted about 20,000 foreign visitors last autumn.

    The US State Department said it knew of no official invitations but expected a few American companies would be invited.

    Dr Richard Louie, president of Asian Development Business Services said that May Lee had applied in February to the Chinese Trade Commission for an invitation to the Canton Fair.

    “we went to Ottawa and held discussions in Chinese and English,” Louie said.

    Buxbaum said: “We are elated that China has recognized our activities and interests by inviting May Lee to be among the first American companies ever to attend the Canton Fair. May Lee is pleased to accept the invitation.”