Beijing's CIFTIS-2026 wraps up: 1,200 deals and 233 new products
International trade in services is becoming one of the main drivers of global cooperation, and events like CIFTIS are bridges connecting markets, technologies and cultures. When companies from around the world meet on one platform, they create not just contracts but long-term partnerships that open new horizons for development.
The China International Fair for Trade in Services 2026 (CIFTIS) concluded in Beijing on September 13, with more than 1,200 deals concluded and new products and partnership agreements presented between Chinese and international companies. Over five days, CIFTIS held 200 forums and meetings, 15 thematic forums, 51 special-topic forums and 134 negotiation and promotion events, attended by more than 1,830 companies. A total of 103 companies and institutions presented 233 new products, 119 of which were debuts, covering areas such as intelligent digital manufacturing, cell therapy and financing of science and technology projects. The exhibition was visited by 116,000 registered professionals, up 3.7% from last year.
"This is a huge market with excellent solutions, and I would especially highlight the artificial intelligence solutions offered by Chinese [companies]," said Yunis Guliyev, an exhibitor from Azerbaijan.
Norway, participating in the exhibition as a guest of honour for the first time, saw its delegation conclude six cooperation agreements with Chinese companies and institutions, as well as sign 36 key projects on site as part of the "Invest in Beijing" promotional event. The Norwegian national pavilion was dedicated to the marine economy and sustainable development, presenting exhibits and service solutions in green energy, food and healthcare, as well as creative design.
At the exhibition, Henning Kristoffersen, commercial counsellor at the Norwegian Embassy in China, pointed to high-tech cooperation between the two countries as a path to new markets. "Just sell this product in Northern Europe. That way, you have Norwegian-Chinese high-tech cooperation to enter a third country. So you have many opportunities," he said. Ole J. Rugseth, CEO and managing director of the Kristiansund and Nordmøre Business Association, a regional chamber of companies in western Norway, said the exhibition changed his members' ideas of what is achievable. "I think China is a very important market for us, and now China is opening up to us," he said.
For Bora Gumusel, an American exhibitor, it only confirmed the correctness of the decision his company had made earlier. "It looks very well organised, professional. China is the largest supply chain. We already work with Chinese companies," he said. Liboire Bigirimana, governor of Gitega province in Burundi, said the value of the exhibition for his country lies in what the delegation can take home. "This summit, organised in Beijing, China, I think is indeed a very important platform for various participants coming from different countries around the world to learn from China's experience in trade and various services. We also have several opportunities. This summit is an opportunity for Burundi," he said.
This year, the exhibition also allocated a special space for Chinese companies going international — a services zone in the newly built Hall No. 2, where service providers in finance, law, human resources and accounting were located next to companies needing their services. This zone hosted on-site presentations with a negotiation area where companies solved their export problems on the spot. Tables in this zone, from seating to private rooms, were marked "reserved." Wang Weiwei, deputy director of the Beijing International Trade in Services Centre, explained how this space was created: "This year we combined all professional services needed for overseas expansion, including finance, law, human resources, accounting, into a single zone, effectively creating a one-stop service centre for enterprises going global," he said.
Digital manufacturing solutions drew the greatest interest from exhibitors across all sectors, and many of them have already entered overseas markets. Lu Xin, one of the exhibitors, said the product was developed with the needs of foreign users in mind. "This is the first large-scale artificial intelligence model for general education courses that we launched this year. Essentially, it functions as an interactive textbook. A teacher from abroad can project a web page in the classroom to perform relevant interactive tasks," said Lu Xin.
As reported by CCTV+, the CIFTIS 2026 exhibition confirmed Beijing's status as one of the key platforms for the development of international trade in services. The record number of participants, hundreds of new products and agreements indicate that even amid global uncertainty, cooperation in the services sector continues to strengthen, opening new opportunities for businesses around the world.
