This year’s China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) officially opened today at Shougang Park in Shijingshan District, marking the first time the event adopts a “one fair, one venue” permanent model. With the golden autumn setting in, Shougang Park once again welcomes global guests, building on its unique industrial heritage and legacy from the 2022 Winter Olympics to showcase innovation, culture, and international exchange.
A Platform for Global Services Trade
As China’s premier national-level exhibition dedicated to trade in services, CIFTIS has become a key platform for opening-up, cooperation, and innovation. For Shijingshan District, it is also a golden opportunity to highlight its urban image and attract investment. Authorities in the district have embraced the guiding principle of “supporting, participating in, and leveraging CIFTIS,” ensuring high standards of logistics, hospitality, technology, and service integration across all aspects of the event.
CIFTIS 2025 will feature a forum, nine themed exhibition areas, and 13 parallel activities, turning exhibition resources into real economic momentum. The district expects the fair to drive new projects, strengthen cooperation, and boost high-quality growth.
CIFTIS 5.0: Upgraded Venues and Experiences
The newly upgraded Shougang International Exhibition Center now spans more than 100,000 square meters. Over the past five years, the venue has evolved from version 1.0 to the newly unveiled 5.0, with improved functions, visitor experiences, and facilities.
The No. 4 Blast Furnace, transformed into a grand international reception hub, retains the spirit of its industrial past while serving as a world-class summit venue. The former sintering plant has been reimagined as the CIFTIS Media Center, blending steel structures and industrial aesthetics with modern press facilities.
The upgrades extend beyond the halls. New open spaces, green landscapes, and night lighting designs create a vibrant environment for business talks, leisure, and cultural exchanges. Shougang Park’s transformation from a “steel forest” into a “green garden” is visible everywhere, from floral displays and riverside walkways to scenic platforms overlooking the Winter Olympic ski jump.
Services, Comfort, and Accessibility
To ensure smooth participation, the park offers 70 dining spots with over 12,000 seats and diverse food options, more than 10,000 parking spaces with smart navigation systems, and multiple transportation services including shuttle buses, sightseeing routes, and AI-powered vehicles. Enhanced signage, volunteer support, and digital guides make the experience seamless for all attendees.
Two Parks, One River Powers Development
The fair also serves as a launchpad for Shijingshan’s wider transformation. Key projects under the “Two Parks, One River” initiative—including the Yongding River Riverside Zone, new cultural trails, and lifestyle spaces—are being unveiled to the public. These developments integrate ecology, culture, and commerce, positioning western Beijing as a vibrant hub of innovation, leisure, and green living.
Culture Meets Trade
Beyond exhibitions and forums, CIFTIS 2025 brings cultural vibrancy to Shougang Park. Events such as the “CIFTIS Carnival,” featuring performances, markets, and live broadcasts, are creating new consumption experiences. Visitors can enjoy music festivals, art exhibitions, heritage markets, and immersive shows, reflecting Shijingshan’s ambition to combine trade, culture, tourism, and lifestyle into one dynamic ecosystem.
The district is also introducing innovative cultural products such as the Shijingshan City Culture Pass and an AI-powered smart tourism assistant, offering residents and visitors smarter, richer, and more convenient ways to explore.
Looking Ahead
The permanent settlement of CIFTIS at Shougang Park is more than just an annual fair—it is a catalyst for long-term growth. With the upcoming “Convention and Exhibition Town” project, Shijingshan aims to create a multifunctional hub combining exhibitions, tourism, shopping, and culture.
By embracing its industrial legacy and injecting new vitality, the district is positioning itself as a new landmark of Beijing’s urban revival, a place where the world can experience China’s openness, creativity, and dynamic future.
