2026 CIFTIS Set to Showcase China’s Service Trade Ambitions
With one month to go before the 2026 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) opens its doors, Beijing is preparing to host the 13th edition of the world’s largest comprehensive exhibition in the service trade sector. Scheduled for September 9-13 at Shougang Park, this year’s fair carries particular significance as the first CIFTIS of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan period, serving as a key national platform for high-level opening-up and service trade development.
A Platform of Growing Global Reach
According to Xinhua News, nearly 70 countries (regions) and international organizations have confirmed participation, including the UK, Denmark, Brazil, Australia, the World Trade Centers Association, and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. More than 740 enterprises and institutions have expressed intent to exhibit offline, among them over 300 Fortune 500 and industry-leading companies.
Norway will serve as this year’s guest country of honor. Han Ning, Counselor at the Norwegian Embassy and Head of Innovation Norway China, said Norway plans to establish a national pavilion of approximately 260 square meters at Shougang Park, showcasing achievements in marine industry, marine and animal nutrition, agriculture, energy, health, and digital services. Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region will serve as the guest province, highlighting its achievements in digital services, cross-border e-commerce, cultural tourism, and traditional Chinese medicine services.
Innovation at the Forefront
The fair will feature a significant emphasis on innovation and first-time initiatives. Wei Mingqian, Vice President of Beijing Capital Exhibition Group, said that Alibaba, Schneider, and other enterprises and institutions plan to release more than 180 innovative achievements covering artificial intelligence, healthcare, green low-carbon, and other fields. The event will also host over 190 forums, conferences, and negotiation/promotion activities, including 16 themed forums.
A notable highlight is the Global Services Trade Summit, which will be co-hosted by UNCTAD, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) — joining for the first time — the Ministry of Commerce, and the Beijing Municipal Government. Zhao Qizhou, Director of the Beijing International Service Trade Affairs Center, noted that the addition of WIPO means “issues such as intellectual property protection and digital trade rules in service trade will receive higher-level international attention.”
New Focus on ‘Going Global’
This year’s CIFTIS introduces a strong emphasis on helping Chinese enterprises expand internationally. The fair will feature its first-ever “Going Global Service Promotion Roadshow” series, with nearly 40 sessions already collected, and a first “Going Global Service Enterprise Exhibition Zone” bringing together more than 30 enterprises in finance, legal, accounting, advertising, and human resources sectors. As reported by Beijing Evening News, the fair will also provide cross-border legal, tax, intellectual property, and HR consulting services on-site.
Zhang Mingyi, EY North China Managing Partner, said: “CIFTIS continues to build a platform connecting global service markets and promoting high-level opening-up. We look forward to using the 2026 CIFTIS to showcase our innovative practices in sustainable development and cross-border trade, connect more cooperation opportunities, and jointly explore new opportunities in service trade.”
Service Trade Momentum
China’s service trade sector has shown robust growth heading into the fair. According to the Chinese government, the country’s total service trade import/export reached 3,779.75 billion yuan in the first half of 2026, up 8.3% year-on-year. Service exports grew 17.6%, outpacing imports at 2.9%. Knowledge-intensive services exports rose 12.8%, accounting for 53.5% of total service exports, with personal culture and entertainment services and intellectual property royalties showing the fastest growth. Travel services exports grew over 30%, driven by the recovery of inbound tourism.
A Transformed Venue
The fair’s permanent venue at Shougang Park has undergone a major transformation. The renovation project was completed on August 9, six days ahead of schedule, creating an “International Exhibition Town” with a total construction area of 144,600 square meters. As Qianlong reported, the new venue integrates industrial heritage — including the Four Blast Furnaces and One Coke Oven — with modern exhibition facilities in a “one ring, six axes” spatial structure.
Jiang Nan, Vice President of Shougang Group, explained: “The newly built exhibition town has established a mature and complete space and service system… The total renovation area is 144,600 square meters, organically activating industrial heritage such as the Four Blast Furnaces and One Coke Oven.”
The venue upgrades extend beyond physical infrastructure. Smart features include an AI assistant named “Xiaofu,” smart translation screens, AI glasses, welcome robots, and multi-lingual intelligent guidance. Dining facilities have been expanded to 15 areas with nearly 130 merchants, and fixed seats increased from 500 to over 1,500, with serving capacity up to 10,000 people. Transportation improvements include 30 parking lots with over 10,000 parking spaces and two new free shuttle routes.
Economic Significance and Outlook
CIFTIS, jointly hosted by China’s Ministry of Commerce and the Beijing Municipal Government, has been held 12 times since its founding in 2012, attracting nearly 200 countries and regions with 1.47 million exhibitors and visitors. It is one of China’s three major national exhibition platforms for opening up, alongside the China International Import Expo and the Canton Fair.
As the first CIFTIS in the 15th Five-Year Plan period, the 2026 fair carries strategic importance for implementing China’s goals of high-quality development and service trade innovation. The emphasis on “going global” services reflects a broader shift in China’s economic strategy toward helping domestic enterprises compete internationally, particularly in knowledge-intensive and digital service sectors.
The fair also underscores Beijing’s transformation of Shougang Park — a former steel mill complex — into a hub for international commerce and cultural exchange. Hu Hao, Deputy District Mayor of Shijingshan District, said the district will enrich cultural product supply, launch autumn-themed activities, and promote deep integration of “events + exhibitions” to activate regional development vitality.
What to Watch For
As the September 9 opening approaches, several key developments bear watching: the scale and outcomes of the first “Going Global” initiatives, the level of international participation in the Global Services Trade Summit with WIPO’s new role, and the reception of the newly transformed Exhibition Town. Ticket sales opened on August 10 through the official CIFTIS website, mobile site, WeChat public account, and app.
For international businesses and investors, the 2026 CIFTIS represents a significant opportunity to engage with China’s rapidly evolving service economy. As Beijing News reports, the fair continues to serve as a bridge connecting global service markets — a role that will be tested and refined as China charts its service trade trajectory through the 15th Five-Year Plan era.