Foreign industry leaders praise China's exhibition market at CEFCO 2026

The China Expo Forum for International Cooperation 2026 (CEFCO 2026) was held in Wuhan, central China's Hubei province, from Jan. 22 to 23. On the sidelines of the forum, foreign exhibition industry leaders spoke highly of China's exhibition market and its growing role in connecting global industries.

Poh Chi Chuan, executive director of the Exhibitions & Conferences Division at the Singapore Tourism Board, speaks with China.org.cn at CEFCO 2026 in Wuhan, Hubei province, Jan. 23, 2026. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Poh Chi Chuan, executive director of the Exhibitions & Conferences Division at the Singapore Tourism Board, said in an interview with China.org.cn that the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) signed a memorandum of understanding with the Singapore Tourism Board during the forum to strengthen engagement between the two sides. "Through CCPIT, we hope to have a more systematic way to share our exhibition information with Chinese enterprises," he said.

Poh noted that Singapore supports more than 100 exhibitions each year across sectors such as advanced manufacturing, health care and finance. These platforms, he said, can help Chinese companies connect with partners in Southeast Asia and the wider Asia-Pacific region, supporting their overseas expansion. At the same time, Singapore could also encourage more of its companies to explore new business opportunities in China.

He added that China's meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) industry is experiencing rapid growth, and that Singapore and China are keen to exchange experience and learn from each other. Through exhibition cooperation, the two sides can deepen collaboration in advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, new energy, smart vehicles, digital technology and green agriculture. Poh also pointed to mutual visa-free travel, frequent flights and close cultural ties as factors that have further strengthened exchanges between the two countries.

Vincent Polito, CEO of the Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO), speaks with China.org.cn at CEFCO 2026 in Wuhan, Hubei province, Jan. 22, 2026. [Photo by Xu Xiaoxuan/China.org.cn]

Vincent Polito, CEO of the Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO), described China as one of the most important exhibition markets in the world. He told China.org.cn that the country's scale, speed of development, depth of industrial ecosystems and alignment between government and industry are "unmatched," while the exhibition sector is moving toward greater specialization, higher quality and deeper integration with global markets.

Polito said SISO hopes to strengthen ties with China and work more closely with CEFCO and the Chinese exhibition community. Having visited China more than 15 times, he said the country remains a global leader in technology, smart manufacturing and emerging industries. "If you could get people to come and visit the country, they can see the opportunities here," he added, praising the warmth and openness of the Chinese people.

Panittha Buri, president of the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI), speaks with China.org.cn at CEFCO 2026 in Wuhan, Hubei province, Jan. 22, 2026. [Photo by Xu Xiaoxuan/China.org.cn]

Panittha Buri, president of the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI), told China.org.cn that UFI has repeatedly chosen China to host its most important events, reflecting both the market's significance and the organization's long-term commitment to the Chinese exhibition industry.

"China stands out for its vast market, strong infrastructure, mature industrial ecosystem and ease of doing business," she said, adding that these strengths together position the country as a key connector of global exhibition resources and a facilitator of international cooperation.