The 26th China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) opened on September 8 in Xiamen in southeastern China’s Fujian Province, bringing together government delegations, businesses and international organizations for four days of investment promotion, matchmaking, and policy exchanges.

Running through September 11, this year’s fair carries the permanent theme “Expanding Two-Way Investment, Jointly Facilitating Global Development.” It is structured around three sections — “Invest in China,” “China’s Outbound Investment” and “International Investment” — and features 200,000 square meters of exhibition space, 14 professional exhibition zones, 46 thematic events, and 52 project roadshows. By the time of the fair’s opening, more than 1,200 government and business delegations from 129 countries and regions, along with 30 international organizations, had registered to attend.

This year’s CIFIT has deployed a broader partnership structure. Finland and Saudi Arabia are serving as the first dual guest countries of honor, while Guangdong and Qinghai are the first dual guest provinces of honor. Finnish participants are highlighting sectors such as circular economy, health and well-being, energy transition, digital innovation, and advanced manufacturing.

Guangdong’s 720-square-meter pavilion highlights four cooperation platforms — Hengqin, Qianhai, Nansha and Hetao — and presents new growth drivers through frontier exhibits such as AI, autonomous driving and intelligent robots. Qinghai is showcasing competitive local industries, green and low-carbon development achievements, and investment-promotion projects.

For overseas businesses, the practical value of the fair lies in access and matchmaking. The “China’s Outbound Investment” area has been expanded to nearly 20,000 square meters and is hosting supply and industrial chain matchmaking, country-specific business lounges, and promotion sessions for overseas industrial parks. A multinational corporation roundtable is also scheduled, offering foreign-invested enterprises a channel to discuss operations and expansion in the Chinese market.

Several foreign officials attending the opening ceremony described CIFIT as a venue for practical cooperation. Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Adrijana Mesarovic said CIFIT has helped translate China-Serbia friendship into tangible economic, trade and investment cooperation. Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol stated that Cambodia is upgrading toward higher-value-added industries such as electronics and automotive components, with China as its largest source of foreign investment. Alexander Poulev, Bulgaria’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Investments and Industry, emphasised that Bulgaria is committed to a predictable and competitive business environment and welcomes Chinese companies to infrastructure and energy modernization projects under public-private partnership frameworks.

As global investment becomes more selective, participants are using CIFIT to compare opportunities, meet partners and move discussions closer to implementation.