The 2025 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) opened in Beijing under the theme “Embrace Intelligent Technologies, Empower Trade in Services”. Running from 10–14 September at Shougang Park, the event positions China at the forefront of global services trade, with a strong focus on innovation, digitalisation, and sustainable development.
Digital and Intelligent Technologies Take Centre Stage
Experts noted how sectors such as cloud computing, big data, artificial intelligence, fintech, digital healthcare, and online education are reshaping the services landscape. These technologies, said Professor Tolonbek Abdyrov, Vice Rector of the International Higher School of Medicine in Kyrgyzstan, mark the shift from traditional services to knowledge-driven, high-tech solutions.
Opportunities for Global Cooperation
Professor Abdyrov emphasised that CIFTIS not only highlights China’s achievements but also extends an invitation for global collaboration.
“For many countries, this means access to modern technologies and the chance to participate in new standards of the global market,” he explained.
He added that China’s policies—such as pilot free trade zones, streamlined regulations for foreign companies, and new digital standards—reduce trade barriers and open pathways for long-term partnerships.
Trade Growth Amid Global Challenges
According to China’s Ministry of Commerce, services trade in the first half of 2025 reached 3.8 trillion yuan (US$533 billion), representing an 8 percent year-on-year increase. This performance highlights the sector’s resilience even as global goods trade faces headwinds, underlining the strategic importance of services for sustainable economic growth.
Driving Green and Sustainable Growth
CIFTIS 2025 also places emphasis on advancing green and sustainable services, aligning with global development goals. By creating a platform for international collaboration, the fair strengthens China’s role in shaping the future of global trade—grounded in innovation, digitalisation, and sustainability.
