China International Fair for Trade in Services

The inaugural China (Beijing) International Fair for Trade in Services was held from 28 May to 1 June 2012 at the China National Convention Center.^[4][5] Wen Jiabao, the Premier of the State Council gave a speech called "Promoting the Development of Trade in Services Through Greater Openness."^[6][7]

The China National Convention Center in Beijing hosted the 5th Beijing Fair for Trade in Services from May 28 to June 1, 2018. It had more than 130 forums, seminars, and business matchmaking events that focused on the topic of encouraging the "openness, innovation, and integration" of the service industry and trade in services.^[8]

The "China (Beijing) International Fair for Trade in Services" was renamed the "China International Fair for Trade in Services" (CIFTIS) in March 2019, with the consent of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party and the State Council. The fair was moved from every two years to every year.^[9] Chinese leader Xi Jinping wrote a letter of congratulations to the 2019 Beijing Fair on May 28, 2019.^[9] The fair had a "one main venue with ten sub-venues" arrangement that year, based on the idea of "one fair in one city." The exhibition area grew to 165,000 square meters.^[10]

In 2020, following its rebranding as "CIFTIS," the fair was moved to early September while still being hosted at the China National Convention Center. The next three editions also took place in early September, with the 2024 event postponed to mid-September (12–16 September) due to the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation Beijing Summit. In 2021, CIFTIS formally established Shougang Park in Shijingshan District as one of its venues.^[11][12][13] By 2023, the event expanded its dual-venue format at the China National Convention Center and Shougang Park to include the National Indoor Stadium, which hosted a special exhibition on environmental services.^[14]

On August 1, 2021, it was revealed at a press event for the upcoming China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) that the 2021 edition would take place from September 2 to 7 at Beijing's China National Convention Centre and Shougang Park.^[15] The fair officially launched on September 2, 2021.^[16]

The 2022 CIFTIS took place at the same sites on August 31 and September 5, 2022.^[17] Hu Chunhua, the Vice Premier of the State Council and the CCP Politburo member, read CCP General Secretary and President Xi Jinping's congratulatory message during the summit. Han Zheng, the Vice Premier of the State Council, attended the summit and gave the keynote address.^[18]

The thematic exhibition on telecommunications, computers, and information services focused on mobility transformation. The overall offline show area reached 152,000 square meters, an increase of 26,000 square meters from the previous edition. More than 400 Fortune Global 500 firms and leading worldwide enterprises participated offline, with a total internationalisation rate of 20.8%.^[19][20]

On September 2, 2023, the 2023 CIFTIS opened in Beijing and ended on September 6, 2023.^[21] The event, with the yearly theme "Opening-up Leads Development, Cooperation Creates the Future," included 155,000 square meters of exhibition space, 10 high-level forums, 102 themed forums, 18 side events, and 72 promotional and business matchmaking activities.^[21] More than 2,400 businesses engaged offline, with over 6,700 joining online.^[22]

The 2024 CIFTIS took place from September 12 to 16 at the China National Convention Centre and Shougang Park, with the theme "Global Services, Shared Prosperity."^[23] Yin Li, the Party Secretary of Beijing and the CCP Politburo member, read a letter of congratulations from CCP General Secretary and President Xi Jinping during the summit. Ding Xuexiang, the Vice Premier of the State Council and the CCP Politburo Standing Committee member, attended the summit and delivered the keynote address.^[24]

It retained thematic sections on telecommunications, computer and information services, financial services, cultural and tourism services, educational services, sports services, supply chain and business services, engineering consulting and construction services, healthcare services, and environmental services.^[25]

France attended both the 2024 CIFTIS and the 2024 China International Import Expo (CIIE), serving as the guest of honour at both major events.^[26]

In May 2025, organizers announced that CIFTIS would be permanently scheduled to open on the second Wednesday of September each year, with a duration of five days. The first three days would be designated for professional visitors (with admission fees), while the final two days would be open to the general public. Beginning that year, the fair was also consolidated to be held primarily within Shougang Park.^[27][28]

The 2025 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) concluded in Beijing on the 14th September, 2025.^[29] During the event, more than 900 results were accomplished in fields like construction, information technology, and finance. The fair has 13 themed forums, 81 specialised forums, and 75 activities for matchmaking and promotion.^[30][31] Australia, as the guest country of honour for the first time, has organised the largest delegation in its history to attend the 2025 China International Fair for Trade in Services.^[32]