The 2026 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) officially opened on September 9 at Shougang Park in Beijing, marking the start of a five-day event centered on expanding openness, deepening cooperation, and driving innovation. This year's fair boasts a significantly stronger international presence, drawing over 1,830 enterprises for on-site exhibition, including 473 Fortune 500 and industry-leading companies such as Honeywell, Johnson & Johnson, and Siemens. Additionally, 90 countries, regions, and international organizations, including the UK, Denmark, Brazil, Australia, the World Trade Centers Association, and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, are participating by setting up pavilions or hosting events, showcasing a higher level of global engagement than the previous edition.

Beyond the main exhibition, CIFTIS has innovatively transformed Shougang Park into a "convention town," featuring 74 supporting activities such as cultural performances and consumer markets. The fair also links with major commercial districts across Beijing, offering 11 business inspection routes focused on investment promotion and cultural tourism experiences. Attendees can expect 15 thematic forums and over 190 conference and matchmaking events spanning key sectors like cultural tourism, healthcare, construction, digital trade, and green development. For the first time, forum sessions are systematically organized into four categories: openness and integration, win-win cooperation, digital intelligence innovation, and green development.

In terms of outcomes, international organizations and authoritative institutions, including UNCTAD, the Development Research Center of the State Council, and the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, plan to release research reports such as the Digital Trade Development and Cooperation Report and the China Services Trade Development Report. More than 90 enterprises and institutions will unveil over 180 innovation achievements covering areas like artificial intelligence, healthcare, cultural expansion overseas, and low-carbon initiatives. The transport and business services section will launch AI model and computing power intelligent dispatching platforms, cross-border qualification matrices, and integrated A+H-share listing service cases. The engineering consulting and construction section will present cutting-edge equipment and technologies, including ground-penetrating radar detection devices and AI-based intelligent hazard recognition models. Numerous financial institutions will also showcase their latest AI applications. The "Achievement Release Hall" will feature over 200 new products and results rolled out continuously, including over 100 new product launches and more than 10 professional rankings, such as the first-ever global services trade brand value top 100 list.

Ben Hung, President of International Business at Standard Chartered Bank, highlighted that services trade is increasingly becoming trade in knowledge. He noted that China's ability to share capabilities in fintech, AI, payment technology, and digital platforms can help enhance productivity, innovation, and financial inclusion in Global South countries. To facilitate the global expansion of Chinese services, this year's fair has introduced a dedicated "going global" service zone in several thematic exhibitions, systematically presenting policies, practical outcomes, success stories, and solutions for international expansion. For the first time, CIFTIS has also established a "global expansion service promotion and roadshow area" to empower service enterprises and those looking to go abroad, ensuring more standardized and orderly international ventures. Professional institutions spanning finance, law, accounting, intellectual property, advertising, and human resources will host 41 promotional roadshows, providing one-stop professional services for enterprises seeking to expand globally.

The "going global" enterprise exhibition area within the transport and business services section brings together 30 overseas expansion service institutions, including EY and KPMG, covering areas such as accounting and auditing, business consulting, digital marketing, human resources, and intellectual property. "Professional institutions can not only help Chinese companies go global but will gradually become key to their success in entering and thriving in overseas markets," said Chen Kai, Chairman of EY China and CEO of its Greater China region. "This marks EY's seventh consecutive year at CIFTIS. We will deeply participate in multiple key forums and matchmaking events, focusing on two main themes: Chinese enterprises' globalization and digital innovation empowerment. We will release a series of new products, practical cases, and research reports, comprehensively showcasing EY's expertise in overseas expansion services, AI-driven transformation, and green and sustainable development."

In the cultural tourism section of the fair, the theme "Cultural Tourism Integration, Digital Intelligence Empowerment" brings together 413 exhibitors, presenting multiple world-premiere innovations. Visitors can experience the "Flying Over the Forty Scenes of Yuanmingyuan" XR immersive garden tour, exploring the imperial garden's former splendor through virtual and real-world scenes. Dongcheng District recreates the vibrant atmosphere of the historic Longfu Temple market, blending old Beijing's street culture with trendy cultural consumption. Yanqing District sets up a VR experience area called "Gefühl of the Great Wall," making the ancient wall appear right before one's eyes. "We will continue to empower cultural tourism upgrades through technology and brand enhancement, promoting the creative transformation and innovative development of the Great Wall culture," said Rong Xinfeng, Party Secretary and Chairman of Badaling Cultural Tourism Group.

Meanwhile, the Beijing cultural heritage exhibition area features an AI-enabled embodied robot dressed in traditional merchant attire, providing visitors with vivid explanations, guided tours, and transaction assistance. Cultural and creative products such as Heavenly Palace caisson series refrigerator magnets, "Good Luck Persimmon" creative pendants, and the Planetarium's 88 constellation puzzles are also on display, alongside over 200 premium cultural creations from key museums across Beijing, blending cultural heritage with creative design.