The 26th China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) will open on Tuesday in Xiamen, bringing together more than 1,200 delegations from 129 countries and regions
The 26th China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) will open on Tuesday at the Xiamen International Exhibition Centre in Fujian Province, eastern China. Organisers said all preparatory work for the event, which runs from 8 to 11 September, has been completed.
When global capital, business initiatives and government strategies converge in one exhibition centre, it becomes more than just a fair — it becomes a barometer of the global investment climate. CIFIT, held in Xiamen for the 26th time, has long outgrown its role as a regional event. Today, it is one of the key platforms where China opens its doors to the world, and the world opens its doors to China. Amid global uncertainty, trade frictions and the search for new growth drivers, this fair is where contracts are signed, alliances are formed and routes for future cooperation are mapped. The number of participants — more than 1,200 delegations from 129 countries — speaks for itself: interest in the Chinese market is not waning, but transforming.
As the flagship platform of the "Invest in China" campaign, the fair has attracted more than 1,200 representatives of government agencies, business councils and corporate delegations from 129 countries and regions, as well as 30 international organisations. "This year, CIFIT has refined its exhibition structure and promotes the integrated development of exhibition and negotiation activities. The financial exhibition zone will double in size, highlighting the role of finance as a platform to support the real economy. The professional programme will be richer, as we continue to hold policy presentation events, thematic seminars and business matching activities," said Yu Guangsheng, Deputy Director‑General of the Investment Promotion Agency of the Ministry of Commerce.
For the first time, this year's fair will feature a model with two guest countries and two guest provinces: Finland and Saudi Arabia as honorary guests, and Guangdong and Qinghai provinces as honorary guest provinces. Covering 200,000 square metres of exhibition space, with 14 specialised zones, 46 thematic events and 52 project presentations, the fair will provide a broad platform for bilateral investment cooperation.
CIFIT, founded in 1997, is one of China's largest and most influential investment fairs. It attracts thousands of participants from more than 100 countries annually, facilitating billions of dollars in contract signings. This year, special attention is being paid to high‑tech industries, green energy and the digital economy, reflecting China's strategic priorities in the new era. The presence of Finland and Saudi Arabia as guest countries underscores China's growing cooperation with Northern Europe and the Middle East, while the participation of Guangdong and Qinghai provinces highlights the diversity of China's regional economies.
As CCTV+ reports, the opening of CIFIT 2026 in Xiamen confirms China's unwavering commitment to openness and international economic cooperation. The expansion of the financial zone, the deepened business programme and the broad international participation make this fair a key event in the global investment calendar. In the coming days, hundreds of agreements are expected to be signed, giving new momentum to both the Chinese and global economies.
