2025 CIFTIS: Innovation, openness, and global synergies

By Cui Xingyu  

Some 2,000 enterprises and institutions from over 70 countries and international organizations are set to converge in Beijing for one of the largest events dedicated to global services trade.

The China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), a flagship platform for openness and cooperation, will run from September 10 to 14 at Shougang Park in western Beijing.

This year’s edition has drawn 500 leading industry players, many of which feature in the Fortune Global 500 list, underscoring its growing appeal. Exhibitors will highlight greater openness, innovation, and integration across a wide range of sectors, including finance, culture and tourism, education, sports, supply chains, and healthcare services.

Australia brings largest-ever delegation

For the first time, Australia is stepping into the spotlight as Guest Country of Honor, bringing its largest-ever delegation to CIFTIS. Its national pavilion, spanning 360 square meters, also sets a record as the largest guest country pavilion in the fair’s history.

Around 60 enterprises and institutions, including ANZ, CPA Australia, the University of Adelaide, and Tourism Australia, will showcase the country’s strengths in areas ranging from the green economy, education, and tourism to food, consumer goods, and healthcare.

China remains Australia’s largest trading partner, accounting for 26 percent of its total trade in goods and services during the 2023-2024 fiscal year, according to Daniela Assis, Economic and Commercial Counselor at the Australian Embassy in China. During the same period, services trade surged by 42.3 percent, with tourism and education serving as the main drivers.

Australia’s participation this year signals a deeper level of engagement in bilateral services trade. Australia’s abundant resources and innovative capabilities, combined with China’s vast market and strong industrial capacity, create powerful synergies. Deepened collaboration is expected to unlock greater potential and generate shared growth.

From “Beijing Fair” to a global platform

Launched in 2012, the event was originally known as the “Beijing Fair.” Co-hosted by China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOC) and the Beijing municipal government, it was designed to accelerate the growth of the service industry and advance China’s economic transformation.

In 2019, it underwent a major upgrade, further expanding its global influence. Since then, CIFTIS has grown into one of the world’s premier platforms for promoting global services trade.

Over the past 11 editions, CIFTIS has mirrored the evolution of China’s services trade – opening wider, embracing innovation, and deepening international cooperation. It serves as a stage for exhibitions, exchanges, negotiations, and collaborations, enabling countries, regions, organizations, and enterprises to work together towards a more open and shared global services economy.

A notable trend has been the steady rise in international participation. In 2024, overseas exhibitors accounted for more than 20 percent of offline participants, with over 460 Fortune Global 500 companies and industry leaders taking part.

Each edition has also placed a strong focus on cutting-edge innovation, unveiling breakthroughs in digitalization, artificial intelligence (AI), and green development – advancements that are gradually reshaping the future of modern services. From an AI-driven orthopedic surgical robot capable of generating personalized surgical plans in under 10 minutes to the world’s smallest cardiac pacemaker, last year’s edition showcased a wide range of innovative applications, featuring breakthroughs in AI, cloud computing, the metaverse, 6G and more.

In 2021, the fair was held for the first time at both the China National Convention Center and Shougang Park – a former steel plant that was transformed into a landmark venue for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and redeveloped as a vibrant urban space. Beginning in 2025, Shougang Park has officially become the permanent home of CIFTIS.

Strengthening cooperation to drive global economy

The 2025 edition will feature 13 thematic forums, more than 80 specialized forums, and over 80 business matchmaking and promotion sessions. More than 100 enterprises are expected to debut over 190 new products, technologies, and achievements, with a particular focus on technological and intelligent applications.

To make participation more convenient for international guests, this year’s fair has also further expanded entry facilitation measures. For example, customs procedures, including filing, declaration, and verification, can now be completed online through a single-window system, significantly simplifying operations for enterprises and reducing time and costs.

According to the MOC, China’s services trade continues to grow rapidly. In the first half of 2025, total trade in services reached 3.9 trillion yuan (about $545.3 billion), up 8 percent year-on-year – a record high for the period.

As both a microcosm of China’s high-level opening-up and a bridge for global cooperation, this year’s CIFTIS is set to inject fresh momentum into the global economy.

About the author: Cui Xingyu is a reporter with China Global Television Network (CGTN), who covers the 2025 CIFTIS

 

Dear reader, we need your support

Independent sites such as The AIMN provide a platform for public interest journalists. From its humble beginning in January 2013, The AIMN has grown into one of the most trusted and popular independent media organisations.

One of the reasons we have succeeded has been due to the support we receive from our readers through their financial contributions.

With increasing costs to maintain The AIMN, we need this continued support.

Your donation – large or small – to help with the running costs of this site will be greatly appreciated.

You can donate through PayPal or credit card via the button below, or donate via bank transfer: BSB: 062500; A/c no: 10495969