The 2026 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) opened on Wednesday at Beijing’s Shougang Park, running through Sunday with a focus on intelligent technologies and their role in advancing global trade in services. The five-day event features exhibitions, roadshows, product launches, and business matchmaking sessions, bringing together industry leaders, emerging technologies, and international participants.
Under the theme “Embrace Intelligent Technologies, Empower Trade in Services,” this year’s CIFTIS highlights developments in information and communications, financial technology, digital healthcare, smart education, and environmental protection. More than 190 forums, matchmaking events, and promotional activities are scheduled, including the Forum on Development Trends of Digital Trade and the World Conference on Tourism Cooperation and Development.
The fair has seen increased international participation compared to last year, with exhibitors from 90 countries, regions, and international organizations—including over 1,800 companies, among them 473 Fortune Global 500 firms—showcasing their latest innovations. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) are co-hosting the Global Trade in Services Summit alongside China’s Ministry of Commerce and the Beijing municipal government. Senior representatives from international organizations, foreign governments, and multinational corporations are engaging in discussions on key issues affecting the future of services trade.
Norway serves as the guest country of honor, presenting advances across sectors such as marine industries, nutrition, agriculture, energy, health, digital services, tourism, culture, and home design. China’s Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region is the guest province of honor, spotlighting achievements in artificial intelligence, cross-border logistics, traditional Chinese medicine, and cultural exports.
This year’s event is structured around four main thematic sections: open integration, win-win cooperation, digital innovation, and green development. Several prominent organizations—including UNCTAD, the Development Research Center of the State Council, and the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology—are releasing new research during the fair, covering topics like digital trade trends and the effects of services trade policies. Over 200 new products and achievements will be unveiled during the event, with more than 100 making their debut globally or within China.
For the first time, CIFTIS has established a dedicated promotion and roadshow area to support overseas expansion of Chinese service providers. This zone will feature professional institutions in finance, law, accounting, intellectual property, advertising, and human resources hosting more than 40 roadshows aimed at enhancing the global presence of “China Services.”
To encourage public participation, the fair will also host 74 supplementary activities at multiple venues across Beijing, including Shougang Park. These events will integrate advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and extended reality while blending elements of culture, commerce, tourism, and sports.
According to China’s Ministry of Commerce, the country’s exports and imports of services reached 3.78 trillion yuan (approximately $560 billion) in the first half of 2026, marking an 8.3 percent increase year-on-year. Service exports grew notably by 17.6 percent, playing a crucial role in driving foreign trade growth.
CIFTIS continues to serve as a key platform for innovation and collaboration in global services trade. During China’s 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), services trade is expected to present new strategic opportunities. Yan Dong, vice minister of commerce, emphasized China’s commitment to nurturing new drivers of trade, exploring emerging markets, and improving the business environment to promote quality and efficient growth in the services sector.