BEIJING, Sept. 01, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The 2026 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) will open on September 9 at Shougang Park in Beijing. As the first comprehensive national-level services trade fair in the opening year of the 15th Five-Year Plan period, how are the preparations progressing? What highlights can people look forward to? The State Council Information Office held a press conference on August 28 to provide an update.
Yan Dong, Vice Minister of Commerce, said that preparations for the Fair are now largely complete. This year’s CIFTIS will focus on its three core functions — “expanding opening-up, deepening cooperation, and driving innovation.” Approximately 90 countries and international organisations will set up exhibitions and hold events, over 1,800 enterprises will participate on-site, and more than 90 companies and institutions will release new outcomes, with innovative technologies, products, and services in multiple fields making their global debut or China premiere.
“This year’s CIFTIS will further leverage its role as an open platform. For the first time, a ‘China Services’ exhibition zone will be established in the core area of the theme exhibition to showcase innovative achievements and typical cases in services trade from various regions. At the same time, we will continue to host the Global Services Trade Summit at a high level, release authoritative reports including the China Services Trade Development Report , and hold nearly 100 conference-style events for countries around the world to discuss and promote the liberalisation and facilitation of services trade,” said Yan Dong.
This year’s CIFTIS will be upgraded in terms of event organisation and service measures, further enhancing the CIFTIS brand and promoting the innovative development of services trade.
Leveraging Functional Positioning to Boost the Innovative Development of Services Trade
CIFTIS is a global stage for the innovative development of services trade. During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, services trade will embrace a new round of strategic opportunities. China will continue to strengthen the CIFTIS brand, adhering to the principles of “being professional, market-oriented, and distinctive,” and will contribute to enhancing the vitality of global services trade.
“The nine thematic sections of this year’s CIFTIS will closely focus on key and hot areas such as technology, finance, culture and tourism, and healthcare, stepping up efforts in exhibition displays, business negotiations, and promotions of cutting-edge achievements,” said Kong Dejun, Director General of the Department of Trade in Services and Commercial Services of the Ministry of Commerce. During the Fair, domestic and international guests will be invited to discuss the digital, green, and integrated development trends of services trade, and to engage in exchanges and discussions with more countries in the Global South and international organisations on topics such as improving service efficiency and promoting economic and trade development, helping to unlock the potential of services trade and build multilateral consensus for mutual benefit.
Solidifying Service Safeguards and Upgrading Event Organisation
Tang Wenhong, Vice Mayor of Beijing, introduced three major upgrades in the organisation of this year’s CIFTIS.
First, international participation is broader. This year’s CIFTIS will feature over 1,800 enterprises exhibiting on-site at Shougang Park, of which 456 are Fortune Global 500 and industry-leading enterprises, with international participation exceeding that of the previous edition.
Second, professionalism is more prominent. This year’s CIFTIS will hold nearly 100 conferences and forums, as well as over 100 business negotiation and promotional events. For the first time, a “Going Global Services Promotion Roadshow Zone” will be established, where professional institutions in finance, law, accounting, and other fields will hold more than 40 promotional roadshows, providing one-stop professional services for enterprises expanding overseas.
Third, the spillover effect is more significant. As the permanent venue for CIFTIS, Shougang Park has undergone a series of upgrades this year — renovation and enhancement of Halls 2, 3, and 4, comprehensive improvement of supporting services and smart operations; the launch of 11 business inspection routes covering investment promotion and cultural tourism experiences; and the innovative creation of the Shougang Park “Convention and Exhibition Town,” featuring 74 supporting events such as cultural performances and consumer markets.
Promoting Deep Integration of Culture, Commerce, Tourism, Sports, and Exhibition for an Enhanced Visitor Experience
“This year’s CIFTIS will introduce a series of refined and humanised service measures across three dimensions – travel support, dining services, and smart experiences – to create a more comfortable and convenient experience for visitors,” said Piao Xuedong, Director of the Beijing Municipal Commerce Bureau.
In terms of travel, six entrance halls have been set up for this year’s CIFTIS, with over 20 ride-hailing pick-up points, more than 300 non-motor vehicle parking areas, and nearly 20 parking lots around Shougang Park, significantly improving overall travel capacity.
In terms of dining, over 2,800 seats are available within the security perimeter. Meanwhile, local delicacies such as “Mingguang Three Delicacies” and “Guangde Three Delicacies,” along with the “Leshan Flavour · Made in Leshan” market and the “World Tea · Treasure Guangxi” themed events, will offer visitors a rich culinary experience.
In terms of technology, the CIFTIS digital platform’s smart assistant “Xiaofu” will provide 24/7 online Q&A services; the online trade matching system uses algorithms to achieve precise matchmaking between exhibitors and buyers, supporting one-click booking of business negotiations before the fair.
“Trade in services is a direct reflection of the international competitiveness of the services industry and an important pathway to promote high-quality and efficient development of the services sector,” said Yan Dong. He added that during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, China will accelerate the cultivation of new trade drivers, steadily expand new market spaces, actively promote a new level of business environment, further advance the innovative development of services trade, and foster new international competitive advantages for “China Services.”
Contact person: Ms. Zhu, Tel: 86-10-63074558
Media gallery
