On September 9, the 2026 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) officially kicked off at Shougang Park in Beijing. Focusing on the three core functions of "expanding opening-up, deepening cooperation, and leading innovation," this year's CIFTIS has built a high-level platform for exchange and cooperation in global trade in services over its five-day run, featuring a series of exhibitions, matchmaking and promotional sessions, achievement launches, and fringe events.
This year's CIFTIS boasts an even stronger international flavor. The fair has attracted over 1,830 companies for on-site exhibitions, including 473 Fortune Global 500 companies and industry leaders such as Honeywell, Johnson & Johnson, and Siemens. Meanwhile, 90 countries and regions, along with international organizations including the World Trade Centers Association and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, have set up booths and hosted events in the name of their respective countries, regions, or headquarters. Compared to the previous edition, this year's fair has seen a significant increase in international participation, fully demonstrating the strong appeal and unwavering commitment to opening-up of China's trade in services market.
In terms of fringe events, CIFTIS has innovatively created the "MICE Town" at Shougang Park, carefully organizing 74 exciting supporting events such as cultural and artistic performances and consumer markets. It has also linked up with key commercial districts across the city to launch 11 business familiarization tours focusing on investment promotion and cultural tourism experiences. For the first time, forums and conferences have been systematically programmed into four modules: "Open Integration, Win-Win Cooperation, Digital and Intelligent Innovation, and Green Development." A total of 15 thematic forums and over 190 forum sessions, conferences, and matchmaking events will be held, providing in-depth coverage of key areas such as culture and tourism, healthcare, construction, digital trade, and green development.
Regarding the launch of achievements, international organizations and authoritative institutions such as UNCTAD, the Development Research Center of the State Council, and CAICT plan to release flagship research reports including the Report on Digital Trade Development and Cooperation and the Report on the Development of China's Trade in Services. Over 90 enterprises and institutions are set to launch more than 180 innovative achievements, widely covering cutting-edge fields such as AI, healthcare, Chinese culture going global, and green and low-carbon development. Specifically, the Transport and Business Services section has unveiled an AI model and computing power intelligent scheduling platform, a cross-border qualification matrix, and integrated A+H listing service cases. The Engineering Consulting and Construction Services section has introduced ground-penetrating radar detection equipment and an AI-powered large model for intelligent hazard identification, representing a batch of intelligent equipment and technologies at the industry's leading level. The "Achievement Launch Pavilion" will feature rolling releases of over 200 new products and achievements, including more than 100 new product debuts and over 10 professional rankings, notably the world's first Top 100 Brand Value List in the global trade in services sector. Hong Biping, President of International Business at Standard Chartered Group, pointed out that trade in services is increasingly becoming trade in knowledge. China's sharing capabilities in fields such as fintech, AI, paytech, and digital platforms will effectively enhance the productivity, innovation capacity, and financial inclusion of Global South countries.
To facilitate the global expansion of "China Services," CIFTIS has established "Going Global Services" zones in multiple thematic exhibitions for the first time, systematically presenting policies, practical achievements, successful cases, and solutions for going global services. At the same time, a "Going Global Services Promotion and Roadshow Area" has been set up for the first time, where professional institutions in finance, law, accounting, intellectual property, advertising, and human resources will host 41 promotional roadshows to provide enterprises with "one-stop" professional services. The "Going Global Service Enterprises Exhibition Area" under the Transport and Business Services section has brought together 30 going global service institutions, including EY and KPMG. Chen Kai, Chairman of EY China and Greater China CEO, stated that professional institutions not only help Chinese enterprises "go global," but are also key elements in helping them "integrate locally" and "thrive globally." Participating in CIFTIS for the seventh consecutive year, EY will focus on the globalization and digital innovation empowerment of Chinese enterprises, and will centrally launch a series of new products and research reports.
When digital and intelligent technologies meet ancient cultural heritage, they spark a brilliant synergy. The Culture and Tourism Services section of this year's fair, themed "Integration of Culture and Tourism, Empowerment by Digital Intelligence," has gathered 413 exhibiting entities and launched multiple globally debuted and premiered innovative achievements. Haidian District in Beijing has brought the "Leaping Over the Forty Scenes of the Old Summer Palace" XR immersive tour; Dongcheng District has recreated the distinctive scenes of the Longfusi Market; and Yanqing District has set up the "Great Wall Full-Sensory Theater" VR experience zone. Rong Xinfeng, Party Secretary and Chairman of Badaling Culture and Tourism Group, stated that they will continuously use technology to empower the upgrading of culture and tourism, and quality to enhance brands, promoting the creative transformation and innovative development of Great Wall culture. In addition, the Beijing Cultural Heritage Exhibition Area showcased an AI embodied intelligent robot dressed in traditional shopkeeper attire, along with over 200 high-quality cultural and creative products that combine the cultural connotation of cultural relics with ingenious design, comprehensively demonstrating the revitalization of cultural heritage empowered by digital intelligence.