Nearly 100 financial institutions to gather at China service trade fair

Nearly 100 financial institutions will gather in Beijing next month at China's largest services trade fair to discuss sector trends and showcase innovations, organizers revealed at a media briefing on Aug. 15.

Officials and financial institution executives attend a press conference in Beijing to introduce highlights and plans for the upcoming 2025 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) Section of Finance Services, Aug. 15, 2025. [Photo/China.org.cn]

The China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) Section of Finance Services, running Sept. 10-14 at Shougang Park, has attracted 92 domestic and international financial institutions, including 68 Fortune 500 companies, organizers said. Foreign firms account for 42 of the participants, representing a 45.7% international participation rate.

As one of nine major thematic sections of CIFTIS, this year's financial services section will focus on four key areas: global financial innovation products and services, policy and regulatory releases, business partnership negotiations, and financial technology demonstrations.

"CIFTIS provides an ideal stage to demonstrate financial sector support for the real economy, explore pathways for high-quality financial development, and collectively advance the vision of building China into a financial powerhouse," said Zeng Linfeng, director of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Local Financial Regulation and Supervision.

This year's financial services section features two thematic pavilions. The connectivity-themed pavilion will bring together domestic and foreign-funded institutions across the banking, insurance, securities, funds and payment clearing sectors to showcase achievements in expanding financial sector openness. The smart and inclusive finance pavilion will highlight collaborations between financial institutions and leading technology companies, demonstrating innovations from fintech integration.

Organizers announced that this year's exhibition will place a greater emphasis on artificial intelligence applications. Through interactive experiences and immersive technology demonstrations, visitors will see how AI is being integrated into the financial sector.

This year's exhibition will upgrade its digital yuan showcase with a 1,000-square-meter immersive exhibition zone. Participating banks, including the Agricultural Bank of China, Bank of China, China Construction Bank and China Merchants Bank, will present a "Digital Yuan+" innovation matrix featuring AI-enhanced displays to demonstrate financial innovations and future banking experiences.

The event will include more than 30 forums over five days, with 3,000 to 4,000 expected attendees, including financial regulators, industry groups and institutions discussing global financial challenges through policy briefings and product launches.

Financial institutions will host high-level events covering industry priorities such as sector development, corporate globalization, risk management, asset allocation, cross-border yuan and green finance. Participants will present reports and showcase innovations.

This year's exhibition will highlight original financial service cases, demonstrating their competitive advantages in implementing key national financial policies, supporting strategic initiatives in Beijing and facilitating urban development.

The Bank of China will showcase a new card for international visitors that combines digital yuan payments, mobile services and public transport access, developed with China Unicom and Beijing Municipal Administration & Communication Card Co. (Beijing Pass), according to Cai Xinghua, president of the Bank of China's Beijing branch.

"We participate as both contributors and beneficiaries of CIFTIS," said Huo Xuewen, chairman of the Bank of Beijing. "The financial sector thrives on ecosystem collaboration. Through exhibitions and exchanges, we learn from each other, strengthen specialized competencies, and ultimately deliver greater client value. CIFTIS serves as this vital platform for bank-client engagement. It is essential for sparking industry innovation and serving the real economy."

Huo further outlined the Bank of Beijing's key initiatives, including financial literacy education for children; digital unsecured loans for specialized enterprises that produce new and unique products; and cross-border payment solutions at Beijing airports.

Other participants include PICC Property and Casualty Co., which will showcase China's first commercial aerospace insurance consortium, and Mastercard, which plans to demonstrate new China-market card products and payment enhancements for international visitors, including tap-and-go subway transit systems.

The exhibition will run from Sept. 10-12 for industry professionals, featuring daily delegations of 30 senior executives meeting with exhibitors. Public events will follow on Sept. 13-14, featuring an AI digital finance experience tour and public finance seminars.

China's services trade has emerged as a key growth driver, with substantial untapped potential. Official statistics show that in 2024, the global services trade reached $8.69 trillion, achieving 9% year-on-year growth and increasing its share of world trade to 26.4%. China's services trade accounted for 10% of the global total — exceeding $1 trillion last year with 14.4% growth, outpacing the global rate — while representing 14.6% of China's foreign trade.