From September 10 to 14, Beijing, the Chinese mainland, hosts the annual China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), a vibrant showcase of how the services economy fuels digital innovation, greening growth and new business models. Running since 2012, this global platform gathers governments, companies and investors to explore the future of sectors from finance and healthcare to tourism and tech. Nearly 2,000 exhibitors — including Fortune Global 500 players such as Walmart, AstraZeneca and KPMG — are on site this year.
This edition shines an especially bright spotlight on Australia, which is serving as guest of honour for CIFTIS 2025. With nearly 60 institutions and companies represented at its pavilion, Australia is mounting its largest delegation in the fair’s history. The message is clear: Australia and the Chinese mainland are ready to deepen economic ties and build practical, forward-looking partnerships in services.
Recent months have seen both sides signal a pragmatic drive to expand cooperation on trade, development, health, climate and green technology. Australian businesses’ strong presence at CIFTIS underlines their eagerness to engage and sends a reminder to policymakers in Canberra: long-term prosperity depends on stable, diversified relationships.
Australia’s core strengths in education, healthcare, financial services, tourism and digital innovation perfectly match the evolving needs of a market where the middle class is set to exceed 70 percent of the population by 2030. Demand for high-end services is rising, creating a natural opening for Australian training, technology and professional expertise.
On the ground in the Chinese mainland, overseas access is already expanding in finance, professional services, healthcare and digital platforms — a trend that CIFTIS both highlights and accelerates. In 2023, the Chinese mainland bought $145 billion of Australian exports, accounting for 32.5 percent of Australia’s total exports. The growth of these sectors points to deeper cooperation and new frontiers for both economies.
As CIFTIS unfolds, the Australian pavilion stands as a springboard for sustainable, innovation-driven partnerships that transcend short-term politics. In the dynamic world of services trade, this is just the beginning of a broader, mutually beneficial journey.
Reference(s):
Australia takes centre stage in Beijing: What is at stake at CIFTIS
cgtn.com
