Stepping into Beijing’s Shougang Park, the old steel plant that hosted the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) 2025, felt like entering a time capsule where industry’s heavy past meets tomorrow’s brightest ideas. From September 10 to 14, over 2,000 companies from nearly 70 countries and regions transformed the hulking structures into a vibrant marketplace of ideas.
CIFTIS 2025 spans nine key service sectors
—science and technology, tourism, healthcare, green finance and more—each hall buzzing with prototypes, startup pitches, and conversations in dozens of languages. It
’s the world
’s largest comprehensive event of its kind, but amid the scale, small moments stole the show: a handshake sealing a cross-border partnership, a demo that drew a crowd of curious entrepreneurs, and late-night brainstorming sessions among digital nomads scouting new opportunities.
For young global citizens and business enthusiasts, CIFTIS offered a front-row seat to emerging markets. In the science and technology zone, AI-driven healthcare startups showcased how data could revolutionize patient care. Green finance booths highlighted innovative funding models for sustainable travel projects, drawing in both policymakers and eco-conscious travelers. Meanwhile, cultural exchanges—film screenings, live music, virtual reality tours—reminded attendees that services also shape how we experience the world.
Beyond deals and demos, the real magic of CIFTIS 2025 lay in its ability to bridge cultures. Thought leaders led panels on digital equity and human rights in tech, while esports teams from multiple nations competed on stage. When the fair closed, attendees left not just with new contracts, but with fresh perspectives on how services can fuel growth, creativity and social impact.
As the sun set on Shougang Park’s repurposed blast furnaces, one thing was clear: CIFTIS has set new horizons for global service trade. And for a generation eager to shape the future, this was more than an industry fair—it was a launchpad for ideas that will define our shared tomorrow.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
