I would be visiting for canton fair. Is the canton fair complex near any Malls?

Actually, as I know, there aren’t many malls around, and you are suggested to stay in a hotel near Wanshengwei Subway Station, where lots of malls are near and you can take metro line 8 directly to Canton Fair.
Malls: Wansheng Square, Minghao Shopping Mall, and Liuyuansu Experience Center.
Hotels: Weisiman Apartment in Pazhou Xincun, East Xingang Rd, Youyiju Hotel in Pazhou Xincun, and Xiaowu Youth Hostel near Exit D of the station.

If you want to explore the city while attending canton fair, I think the best place to stay would be somewhere around Kecun metro station . There are many places to visit based on your jnterests . A search in Google will help you with Many different choices. Huacheng square,Canton tower,beijing lu pedestrian street are some them . Have a great time!