From September 10 to 14, nearly 2,000 domestic and international companies participated in the 2025 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) in Beijing, representing 85 countries and international organizations. Against the backdrop of global trade protectionism and rising trade barriers, why does CIFTIS remain so attractive? This year’s theme, “Digital Intelligence Navigation: Revitalizing Trade in Services,” highlights how digitalization and intelligence are driving innovation and development in the services sector.
The fair featured six major activities, including the World Services Trade Summit, exhibitions, forums, conferences, discussions, and award ceremonies. Approximately 2,000 companies took part in the offline exhibitions, including 500 of the world’s top 500 companies and industry leaders. CIFTIS showcased 26 out of the top 30 countries and regions in global service trade.
This year, 113 companies introduced 198 new products and achievements, incorporating cutting-edge digital technologies, demonstrating the vitality of China’s growing presence in the global services trade.
In the first half of this year, China’s total service imports and exports reached 3.9 trillion yuan, an 8% increase compared to the same period last year, marking a historical high. Service exports reached 1.7 trillion yuan, up 15%. This growth has been driven by technological progress and the country’s prioritization of the digital industry, enabling China’s service trade to not only grow rapidly but also move steadily toward high-quality development.
According to China’s Ministry of Commerce, since 2012, China’s service imports and exports have grown at an average annual rate of 6.7%. With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and reliance on technical and industrial strengths, China’s knowledge-intensive service exports have increased from 38.5% to 52.2%.
While the achievements in China’s service trade are encouraging, it is essential to recognize that as globalization and international competition intensify, China must accelerate innovation and development in service trade and further enhance its competitiveness.
This year’s fair also highlighted innovative projects, such as a public medical service platform that integrates numerous hospitals, research institutes, and industry enterprises nationwide. One notable innovation is the “One Fundus Scans the Whole Body” software, jointly developed by Tongren Hospital and a technology company. Using a single fundus photograph, the software can detect abnormalities throughout the body in just one minute, enabling early screening for various diseases—a breakthrough in making healthcare more accessible and convenient.
Through this fair, China has sent a clear signal to the world: it is steadfastly advancing high-level openness and actively participating in global services trade. By promoting inclusive development through service liberalization, encouraging connectivity and integration through service cooperation, accelerating progress through service innovation, and creating a brighter future through service sharing, China continues to provide strong momentum for global economic growth and contributes its knowledge and solutions to worldwide service trade.
Source: Shuei Touhid Jinnia, China Media Group