BEIJING, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) — The Chinese market is increasingly seen as a global opportunity not only because of its size but also due to its growing strengths in services, innovation, and international cooperation. The 2026 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), the inaugural event of the country’s 15th Five‑Year Plan (2026‑2030), opened in Beijing’s Shougang Park this week, drawing visitors from around the world and underscoring China’s commitment to high‑standard opening up.
Services now drive a large share of the world economy, accounting for 65 percent of global GDP and more than a quarter of world trade, according to the United Nations Trade and Development Report. They also export at a pace more than twice that of goods. In China, services form the foundation of the economy, and services trade has been a key focus of the 15th Five‑Year Plan. From January to July 2026, China’s services trade grew 8.3 percent year‑on‑year, reaching nearly 4.45 trillion yuan (about 656.9 billion U.S. dollars).
High‑quality development of services trade is a central task of the plan, which calls for easing cross‑border restrictions and promoting knowledge‑intensive services. Digitalisation and green development are emerging as drivers of China’s services sector, with technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data increasingly integrated into trade. The fair highlighted these trends, showcasing the latest breakthroughs and practical applications of advanced technologies.
The event is more than a marketplace; it is a platform for international collaboration. Norway, the guest country of honour, built a 260‑square‑meter pavilion featuring a wide range of exhibits, giving Norwegian firms a chance to pursue practical cooperation in China. For U.S. pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly, the fair presents opportunities to tap China’s policy and research strengths and become more deeply integrated into the country’s pharmaceutical innovation ecosystem, according to Huzur Devletsah, the company’s vice‑president and China general manager.
China’s expanding services market opens new avenues for collaboration rather than competition. This year’s CIFTIS introduced an exhibition of more than 140 cases across 12 service‑trade categories, including those involving AI, large language models and intelligent agents, offering a glimpse into the future direction of China’s services sector. The fair also established a new roadshow area that provides Chinese companies with one‑stop professional support to expand their global footprint in services.
The expansion of China’s services capacity also benefits the Global South. Zimbabwean Vice President Constantino Chiwenga said the fair would help his country identify trade opportunities, build export capacity, and attract credible partners in technology, finance, tourism, education and health care. As services become a more important arena for global economic cooperation, China’s continued opening‑up is creating additional channels for businesses worldwide to connect, cooperate and grow, turning “China opportunities” into part of a broader landscape of shared growth.
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