Media OutReach
Holding High the Banner of Opening-up and Leading Trade in Services, Beijing Is Setting a New Benchmark for Opening up the Chinese Services Sector: Through the Lens of CIFTIS
More than 80 countries and international organizations have brought distinctive exhibits and events; nearly 500 Fortune Global 500 companies and global industry leaders have set up offline exhibitions; over 170 forums and business matchmaking sessions are underway; and more than 190 new products and achievements are making their debut… After 13 years, CIFTIS has evolved from a simple sector-specific exhibition into a major global platform for “Global Services, Shared Prosperity.” Beijing, the capital city of China, is leveraging this momentum to raise high the banner of opening up and set a new benchmark for opening up the services sector.
The Evolution of CIFTIS: From Industry Showcase to a Global, Open Platform
Inside Shougang Park, the exhibition spaces complement the industrial aesthetic of the Big Air and steel furnaces. At Australia’s Guest of Honor pavilion, spanning over 300 square meters, a miniature model of the Sydney Opera House, lifelike representations of kangaroos and koalas—national treasures of Australia, and interactive screens create an immersive experience that draws visitors in. This year, nearly 60 Australian institutions and businesses have brought their latest achievements to Beijing.
“CIFTIS offers a platform to raise brand visibility, expand institutional cooperation, and explore new partnerships,” said Dale Pinto, Global President and Chair of CPA Australia, who is attending for the second time. “Participation has not only increased our visibility but also strengthened relationships with our Chinese partners. We look forward to deepening cooperation and offering our expertise in areas such as digitalization.”
Such feedback reflects the growth of CIFTIS and China’s steady progress in trade in services. In 2012, the total value of China’s trade in services was USD 482.9 billion; by 2024, it had surpassed the 1-trillion-dollar mark. Once reliant on conventional sectors like logistics, China’s trade in services is now shifting toward high-value-added, knowledge-intensive, and innovation-driven fields. In 2023, knowledge-intensive services already accounted for 41.4% of the total.
Over the past 13 years, as China’s trade in services continued to expand, CIFTIS has undergone its own remarkable transformation: from an initial focus on outsourcing, it has fully embraced digital and intelligent technologies while integrating green and global development into its gene. The exhibition space has expanded from 50,000 square meters at the inaugural edition to a 3-square-kilometer “city showcase” today. What began as foreign businesses bringing products into China has evolved into dynamic Chinese companies taking AI algorithms and green solutions global. Discussions have shifted from logistics and exports of cultural products to digital trade, smart healthcare, and low-carbon services… To date, over 1.1 million exhibitors and professional visitors and more than 900 overseas institutions from 198 countries and regions have become regular participants.
Adapting to the latest global economic developments and trends, this year’s CIFTIS has proactively upgraded and readied itself with cutting-edge technologies and sharp industry insights to meet a new wave of international cooperation and competition.
First, cutting-edge technologies are employed to deliver “immersive experiences” for visitors. According to Sima Hong, Vice Mayor of Beijing, this year’s CIFTIS will highlight specialized fields such as artificial intelligence, healthcare, and smart logistics—showcasing not just products, but the services behind the technology. Interactive features include a digital avatar promoting “Beijing Solutions” and a full-process demonstration of AI-enabled biopharmaceutical R&D.
Second, debuts and launches showcase the strength of “China Services.” More than 190 new products and solutions are being unveiled, including a 3D-printed polymer fatigue-resistant absorbable vascular stent and a professional-scale optical quantum computer exceeding 1,000 qubits. Demonstration cases in AI and green innovation will also be released, further enhancing the reputation of “Beijing Services” and “China Services.”
Third, idea exchanges chart a “roadmap” for global cooperation. Thirteen thematic forums and over 80 specialized sessions will address hot topics such as technological innovation, digital services, and eco-environmental protection. More than 200 ministerial-level guests and heads of international organizations will gather to discuss trends and tackle challenges. A guide on trade in services data and policies for developing countries, co-developed by China’s Ministry of Commerce and UNCTAD, will be released during the fair.
By aligning with the latest trends of digital, intelligent, and green development in trade in services, CIFTIS has achieved a historic leap over the past 13 years. With its high level of professionalism and openness, it has grown into a truly international and open platform.
Beijing’s Breakthrough: Pilot Reforms Drive Leap in Trade in Services
CIFTIS exemplifies China’s commitment to high-standard opening-up. In recent years, a series of pioneering policies have delivered tangible benefits, driving the opening-up of the services sector, improving the business environment, and turning blueprints displayed at exhibitions into market reality.
In May, inside a temperature-controlled warehouse at Beijing Tianzhu Comprehensive Bonded Zone operated by Beijing Kyuan Pharmaceutical, Co., Ltd., a batch of vosoritide—a drug used to treat a rare pediatric disease—was quickly inspected by customs officials and transported to Beijing Children’s Hospital.
These critical medicines, which had not yet received formal market approval in China, reached patients swiftly thanks to special policies under Beijing’s pilot zone for rare disease drug access. The Work Plan for Supporting Beijing in Developing the Integrated National Demonstration Zone for Opening Up the Services Sector, approved by the State Council, supports the city in establishing this zone, using a “white list” system to help patients access urgently needed treatments. So far, more than 10 rare-disease drugs have been temporarily imported through this “express channel.”
This case reflects the potential of institutional opening-up: well-designed policy innovations can elevate the entire services sector. In recent years, Beijing has been advancing the development of the Integrated National Demonstration Zone for Opening Up the Services Sector and the China (Beijing) Pilot Free Trade Zone. Focusing on technological innovation, services opening-up, digital economy, and coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the city has built a tiered system of institutional innovations, testing new systems for the nation, pursuing regional development, and improving the business environment.
First, Beijing is exploring the path forward for the nation and sees its opening-up upgraded across fields. Beijing has introduced a number of groundbreaking policies: preferential corporate income tax for technology transfers, instant filing-and-approval for high-tech enterprise certification, the first pilot program for equity and venture capital share transfers, and pilot equity investments for financial asset investment companies… These measures act like magnets, attracting technology, capital, talent, and other innovation-enabling factors.
Second, Beijing is accumulating strength for its development and opening up more areas. As one of China’s first pilot cities to seek institutional opening-up and align with high-standard international rules, Beijing has implemented over 30 pilot measures and established a diverse opening-up structure encompassing the Pilot FTZ, comprehensive bonded zones, and key parks for opening up the services sector. Over the past five years, actual utilized foreign investment in Beijing reached USD 66.18 billion, accounting for 8.4% of the national total. More than 90% of this went into the services sector, highlighting the resilience and vitality of Beijing’s open economy.
Third, Beijing is optimizing its business environment for multinational corporations. Setting up a foreign-funded enterprise in Beijing is no longer a time-consuming process. The city was among the first to enable online processing for the opening of foreign-funded companies, reducing the incorporation timeline from two to three months to just one day. Nearly 7,900 foreign-funded companies have been set up in Beijing over the past five years, with international pharma giants like Pfizer and AstraZeneca opening their new R&D innovation centers. “Beijing offers vast growth space and strong R&D capabilities. That’s why we continue to invest in China,” said AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot, echoing the sentiment of many multinationals.
“When the China (Beijing) Pilot Free Trade Zone was first established, its actual utilized foreign capital accounted for less than 10% of the city’s total. Now the figure has risen to 30%. Since 2021, the average annual growth rate of trade in services in Beijing reached 9.4%, and the scale had remained above RMB 3.6 trillion for three consecutive years by 2024,” said Vice Mayor Sima Hong.
According to Xu Chen, a research fellow at the Beijing Opening Economy Research Institute, University of International Business and Economics, Beijing’s “Two Zones” Initiative is not merely about stacking policies. Instead, it involves systematic institutional innovation that breaks bottlenecks restricting the opening up of the services sector and cross-border flow of factors, creating a replicable “Beijing Model.”
Global Services: Building a New Benchmark for Opening up in Trade in Services
At Airbus China in Shunyi, Beijing, technicians analyze airline data for health monitoring to improve flight punctuality. As one of the first foreign companies in Beijing to obtain a value-added telecommunications service license, Airbus China can now expand into Internet access, online data processing, and information services, broadening its business scope.
Airbus’s expansion reflects how Beijing’s opening-up policies attract multinational companies. Since the “Two Zones” Initiative was launched five years ago, Beijing has recorded 33,900 projects in its database, with 22,900 already implemented. With the “Two Zones” as the engine and CIFTIS as the window, Beijing is advancing opening-up at a deeper and higher level with a broader vision and more effective policies.
Since 2024, policies such as the Regulations of Beijing Municipality on Foreign Investment have been introduced, aiming to keep the city’s trade in services among the top three in China by 2030, with digital service exports accounting for 70% of the total. Beijing is also implementing high-standard international economic and trade rules on a trial basis, such as expanding cross-border use of RMB and optimizing international talent mobility, contributing “Beijing proposals” to global trade in services.
“Via the CIFTIS platform, we have expanded from Beijing to the whole country,” said Xu Shaofeng, Senior Vice President of Schneider Electric. “Supported by Beijing’s opening-up policies, we are driving growth through innovation and talent, expanding our cooperation ecosystem, and deepening the integration of services and industries.”
As a key platform for China’s high-standard opening-up, CIFTIS serves as a bridge for international display and cooperation in Beijing’s “Two Zones” development: it helps Beijing showcase the achievements of “China Services,” attract high-end international resources, and support domestic enterprises in expanding into overseas markets.
Amid a complex and changing global economy, trade in services faces challenges despite scale expansion and structural optimization. Beijing is accelerating institutional opening-up by implementing the latest version of the plan for opening up the services sector and advancing reform in key areas to empower development.
Through reform-driven endogenous growth, Beijing is promoting open development in industrial parks with tailored guidance. Beijing Daxing International Airport Economic Zone, a comprehensive bonded zone spanning Beijing and Hebei, saw its total import-export value reach RMB 9.892 billion in 2024, a fourfold year-on-year increase. “We aim to fully leverage the zone’s favorable policies to attract more businesses,” said Zhang Jizhou, deputy head of Beijing Daxing International Airport Customs.
Accelerating regional coordinated opening-up, Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei are strengthening synergy: they have harmonized 230 government service items across pilot free trade zones. They will strengthen collaboration in institutional innovation, industrial development, government services, and port cooperation, to enhance the flow of benefits generated by opening up across the region.
“Beijing will focus on building the ‘Beijing Services’ brand, promoting digital, green, and intelligent services,” said Pu Xuedong, Director of the Beijing Municipal Commerce Bureau. “We will consolidate our strengths in modern services, enhance the supply of high-quality services and the level of service facilitation, create international consumption scenarios, and help more high-quality ‘Beijing Services’ go global.”
Hashtag: #CIFTIS
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Hardware Built for Local Conditions
The company isn’t just showing off standard gear; they’ve brought systems specifically designed to handle the challenges of the local energy landscape.
- PowerX1 Hybrid Inverters: Intelligent energy management, seamlessly switching between solar, battery, and grid for stable, uninterrupted power. Supports multi-source integration and rapid power transition.
- Powerinfi All-in-one ESS: ISO 13849 PL-d and IEC 62443 certified for functional safety and cybersecurity. Features a multi-layer battery safety system within a compact design.
- Advanced Solar & System Protection: Incorporates N-type HOT3.0 solar cell technology for enhanced low-light performance. The system boasts an IP66 rating for superior dust and water resistance.
A New Partnership with MIA Group
The big news from the show floor is the new Annual Channel Distribution Strategic Partnership with MIA Group. MIA Group is already a household name in Pakistan for HVAC and energy, and this deal means they’ll be the main bridge for Midea Hiconics’ tech to reach the local market.
“We’re excited to get to work with MIA Group,” a Midea Hiconics spokesperson said. “They have the reach and the local knowledge we need. By putting our hardware in their hands, we’re making it much easier for people here to switch to reliable, clean energy without the usual headaches.”
Media Contact:
Midea Hiconics Press Office
Website: https://www.hiconics-global.com/
Location: Solar Pakistan 2026, Booth A-3-8
Hashtag: #MideaHiconics
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Midea Hiconics
Midea Hiconics (SHE: 300048) has been around since 2003 and joined the Midea Group in 2020. They focus on green energy, home storage, and industrial tech, building smart tools that help people take control of their own power.
Check out https://www.hiconics-global.com/ for more info.
Media OutReach
Green SM And Umoney Partner To Build An Integrated Mobility And Digital Finance Ecosystem In Laos
Under the agreement, Umoney will be integrated as a direct payment method within the Green SM app. The two parties will also implement an embedded integration model enabling Umoney users to seamlessly access Green SM’s mobility services directly within the Umoney platform.
For the first time in Laos, customers will experience a fully seamless ride-hailing journey with fares processed instantly via the Umoney e-wallet upon trip completion, replacing the previously common manual bank transfer method. Users simply link their Umoney wallet to the Green SM app for fast, convenient, and fully cashless transactions. Additionally, customers using partner banking applications can pay drivers through Umoney’s QR system, delivering a flexible, fast, and secure payment experience that enhances user convenience and broadens customer reach across both platforms.
As part of the collaboration, Green SM Laos will provide comprehensive mobility solutions for Umoney’s enterprise partners and individual customers, including Green SM Car electric ride-hailing, Green SM Limo, Green SM Airport transfer services, as well as corporate travel packages and flexible, customized mobility plans. Umoney, in turn, will collaborate with Green SM to develop digital financial and payment solutions tailored for drivers within the Green SM ecosystem, encompassing e-wallet services, direct income disbursement, operational expense payments, and cash flow management tools. This synergy is designed to optimize operational efficiency while enhancing the experience for businesses, drivers, and end-users alike.
Beyond mobility and payment solutions, both parties plan to expand their shared digital services ecosystem by integrating Umoney and Unitel’s telecommunications and digital utilities into the Green SM platform, including SIM card registration, mobile top-ups, data package purchases, and other digital services, thereby enhancing the value proposition for users across both platforms.
The two companies will also jointly roll out customer benefit programs targeting Umoney users in Laos, with a particular focus on airports, transaction points, and key high-traffic locations. Through integrated service offerings and incentives promoting electric mobility, Green SM and Umoney aim to foster environmentally responsible travel habits while delivering greater value to customers within their shared ecosystem.
Mr. Ha Chien Thang, Director of Star Fintech Sole Co., Ltd, shared:”Our partnership with Green SM marks a significant milestone in Umoney’s strategy to develop a comprehensive digital finance ecosystem in Laos. The integration of payment capabilities and digital services not only enhances user convenience but also contributes to the advancement of cashless payments and the broader digital transformation of the economy.”
Ms. Tran Hanh An, Director of Mobility Services Sales at Green SM Vietnam & Laos, stated: “The partnership between Umoney and Green SM reflects a shared commitment to connecting the essential infrastructures of modern urban life, from digital finance and telecommunications to a green mobility ecosystem. Through this collaboration, we aim to expand benefits for our customers and driver community while driving meaningful green transformation that is firmly grounded in everyday mobility and consumption needs.”
Furthermore, Green SM and Umoney will collaborate on multi-channel communications initiatives to strengthen brand awareness and expand their combined customer base. Planned activities include co-branded campaigns, promotional programs for new users, digital platform communications, and on-ground experiential activations in key markets.
The partnership between Green SM and Umoney marks a significant convergence of two leading ecosystems in green mobility and digital finance in Laos, united in their pursuit of integrated service solutions that meet the increasingly diverse demands of modern urban life. This collaboration also represents a pivotal step toward fostering innovation, elevating the user experience, and contributing to the sustainable growth of the digital economy in Laos.
Hashtag: #GreenSM
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Global Leaders Converge to Shape the Future of Higher Education in Asia
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 April 2026 – The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and Times Higher Education (THE) co-hosted the Asia Universities Summit 2026 from April 22 to 24. Under the theme “Igniting Global Transformation: Asia’s Leadership,” the three-day premier event explores Asia’s pivotal role in reshaping global innovation and addressing pressing societal challenges through higher education.
The Summit holds particular significance as it coincides with HKUST’s 35th anniversary and marks a decade of partnership between the University and THE since the inaugural summit. This year’s event has attracted over 600 university presidents, policymakers, and industry titans from 25 countries and regions, underscoring a collective commitment to advancing the academic landscape across the continent.
The Summit officially commenced on April 22 at HKUST’s Shaw Auditorium, with the opening ceremony officiated by Dr. SZE Chun-Fai, Jeff, Acting Secretary for Education of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government; Prof. Nancy IP, President of HKUST; Phil BATY, Chief Global Affairs Officer, and Mei Mei LIM, President, Asia Pacific, from THE.
In her opening remarks, President Ip underscored the need for cross-border collaboration and the evolving role of universities in a rapidly changing world. She said, “As HKUST celebrates its anniversary and a decade of partnership with Times Higher Education, we gather at a defining moment for our region. Asia is increasingly shaping the direction of global innovation, talent development, and societal transformation. In this era of rapid technological advancement and constant change—from artificial intelligence to climate resilience—the challenge of progress lies in anticipating needs and shaping solutions, which calls for a fundamental rethinking of how universities lead. At HKUST, we firmly believe that no single institution can address these global challenges alone; progress will come through openness, partnership, and shared responsibility.
Hong Kong is unique in being the only city in the world with five universities ranked among the global top 100, underscoring its role as a leading international hub for exchange and innovation. Building on this strength, HKUST has initiated dialogues with the world’s leading universities and invited them to Hong Kong to explore opportunities for a university town. This Summit reflects our long‑standing commitment to bringing institutions together to exchange ideas, build meaningful collaborations, and take collective action. By convening leaders from across Asia and beyond, we aim to turn thoughtful dialogue into real impact for our communities and for society at large.”
Dr. SZE Chun-Fai, Jeff, highlighted Hong Kong’s unique position as an international education hub, stating, “Universities today are not only centers of knowledge creation but also powerful drivers of innovation, resilience, and societal impact. In an era of rapid technological advancement, higher education must translate cutting-edge research into real-world solutions that address global challenges. HKUST exemplifies this excellence and achieves remarkable rankings, with its entrepreneurial story equally unmatched, demonstrating the worldwide impact of its research discoveries. Hong Kong has long served as the world’s super-connector and super-value adder, bridging East and West. Our highly internationalized and diversified post-secondary education system positions us ideally to facilitate this convergence between global academic networks and the opportunities of the Chinese Mainland and the wider region. Education, technology, and talent form a foundational triad for success. By fostering talent attraction, interdisciplinary education, industry-academic partnerships, and research collaborations with our counterparts elsewhere, we are building a vibrant ecosystem that strengthens Hong Kong’s innovation edge, contributing to Asia as well as national development.”
Phil Baty reaffirmed THE’s enduring partnership of trust with HKUST and celebrated Asia’s rising global influence, stating, “A decade ago, right here on this stunning campus, THE launched its first-ever Asia Universities Summit. Today, we are witnessing a tilt in the balance of power in global higher education and research from the West to the East. This extraordinary trajectory is driven by Asia’s booming research productivity and global ambitions. Hong Kong, with five universities now ranked among the world’s top 100, stands at the heart of this transformation—a city which we believe will remain the flagship atop the rising tide across Asia, cementing its position as a world-leading powerhouse. New knowledge creation is not a zero-sum game, as we all gain from the leapfrogging Asian university sector. This Summit is a celebration of your excellence and the glorious diversity of our academic community.”
Following the opening ceremony, President Ip joined Prof. Martin O. BERGÖ, Vice-President of Karolinska Institutet, in a keynote fireside chat on longevity science. The discussion explored how advances in biomedicine, neuroscience, and translational research can extend both lifespan and healthspan, while contributing to resilient and equitable societies. President Ip shared insights from her pioneering neuroscience research, including the University’s efforts to decode the biological basis of healthy aging. She said, “Healthy aging is not just about adding years to life, but adding life to our years. We need a paradigm shift from reactive to proactive care. At HKUST, we are focused on monitoring risks for any diseases early and implementing preventive measures. Longevity science is about extending the ‘healthspan’ and as a university, we have much to offer through our research and collaborations. We are uniquely positioned to contribute to this field.”
A spotlight on the first day was a fireside chat between Prof. Harry SHUM, Chairman of the HKUST Council, and Judson ALTHOFF, CEO of Microsoft’s Commercial Business. The dialogue delved into the transformative power of AI across both industry and academia, discussing how universities can collaborate with global technology leaders to prepare students for an AI‑pervasive world. Emphasis was placed not only on technological capability, but also on trust, critical thinking and mindset change within institutions.
Prof. Shum underscored the importance of embracing AI across disciplines, “For our university, at this time, the number one priority is really a mindset change—to focus on AI for science, engineering, business, humanities, and medicine. AI is already here. We do not have to be afraid of this technology. It is a powerful new tool for us and a wonderful thing that we must learn and master to drive growth and innovation.”
Throughout the Summit, President Ip participated in two leadership meetings with over 15 university presidents and senior leaders from institutions across Asia, engaging in candid, strategy‑focused exchanges on shared regional challenges. One session examined how Asia’s emerging innovation corridors—from the Greater Bay Area to other fast‑growing technology belts—can redefine global technology leadership, with discussions centered on governance models and cross‑border collaboration. Another session focused on shaping next‑generation cities, exploring how universities can align research, talent development and policy engagement to support sustainable urban transformation amid rapid technological and societal change. These high-level dialogues emphasized the need for strategic alignment between academic research and regional development, reinforcing the Summit’s mission to leverage Asian leadership for global transformation through collaborative institutional design and shared expertise.
Across a series of high‑level sessions, HKUST senior leadership played an active role in shaping discussions on inclusive leadership, trusted AI in higher education, research commercialization, climate resilience, and global research collaboration. The sessions examined how universities can strengthen governance frameworks to ensure the responsible and ethical use of AI, while cultivating innovation ecosystems that translate research outcomes into socio-economic impact.
The dialogue also addressed strategies for nurturing entrepreneurship, climate‑proofing rapidly growing cities through interdisciplinary engineering approaches, and sustaining borderless research collaboration amid rising geopolitical and regulatory pressures. Collectively, these contributions highlighted HKUST’s commitment to advancing responsible innovation, international partnership, and university leadership attuned to Asia’s evolving challenges and global responsibilities.
The three-day event concluded with a closing ceremony, cementing new strategic partnerships and a shared vision for the future of higher education in the region.
Download photos here: https://hkust.edu.hk/news/hkust-and-times-higher-education-co-host-asia-universities-summit-2026
Hashtag: #HKUST
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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