The 2026 China International Fair for Trade in Services opens on Wednesday at Beijing's Shougang Park and will run through Sunday. The event, themed "Embrace Intelligent Technologies, Empower Trade in Services", promises a dynamic program featuring exhibitions, roadshows, product launches and business matchmaking sessions.

Continuing its commitment to fostering high-quality development through service innovation, this year's CIFTIS spotlights the latest advancements in sectors such as information and communications, financial technology, digital healthcare, smart education and environmental protection.

More than 190 forums, matchmaking sessions and promotional activities are scheduled, including the Forum on Development of Trade in Services, the Forum on Development Trends of Digital Trade and the World Conference on Tourism Cooperation and Development.

International participation at this year's CIFTIS is higher than last year. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and the World Intellectual Property Organization are co-hosting the Global Trade in Services Summit with China's Ministry of Commerce and the Beijing government.

Heads of international organizations, foreign officials and representatives of multinational corporations are discussing cutting-edge issues in services trade. Exhibitors from 90 countries, regions and international organizations are participating, with more than 1,800 companies — including 473 Fortune Global 500 companies and industry leaders — showcasing their innovations.

Norway, the guest country of honor, will present advances in marine industries, nutrition, agriculture, energy, health, digital services, tourism, culture, home design and more. China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, the guest province of honor, highlights its achievements in artificial intelligence, cross-border logistics, traditional Chinese medicine and cultural exports.

CIFTIS 2026 underscores its professional focus by organizing forums into four sections: open integration, win-win cooperation, digital innovation and green development. Organizations such as UNCTAD, the Development Research Center of the State Council and the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology will release research findings during the fair, including reports on digital trade and the impact of services trade policies. More than 200 new products and achievements will be unveiled, with over 100 making their global or China debut.

For the first time, the fair has set up a promotion and roadshow area dedicated to overseas expansion services to enhance the global presence of "China Services". Professional institutions in finance, law, accounting, intellectual property, advertising and human resources will conduct more than 40 roadshows.

To encourage public engagement, CIFTIS 2026 will organize 74 supplementary activities at Shougang Park and various other locations in Beijing. These activities will integrate technologies such as AI and extended reality while fusing culture, commerce, tourism and sports.

According to the Ministry of Commerce, China's imports and exports of services reached 3.78 trillion yuan ($560 billion) in the first half of 2026, marking an 8.3 percent year-on-year increase. Notably, service exports grew by 17.6 percent, becoming a crucial driver of foreign trade growth.

CIFTIS serves as a platform for showcasing and encouraging innovation and cooperation in global services trade. During China's 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30), services trade will embrace another wave of strategic opportunities, with CIFTIS contributing to global services trade while following the principles of "professionalism, market orientation and distinctiveness".

"Services trade is a direct reflection of the international competitiveness of the services sector and a crucial path for promoting high-quality and efficient development of the services sector," said Yan Dong, vice-minister of commerce. He noted that during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, China remains committed to cultivating new trade drivers, exploring new market opportunities and enhancing the business environment to advance the innovative development of services trade.

huyuyan@chinadaily.com.cn