China Previews 26th CIFIT with Finland and Saudi Arabia as Guest Nations

China's Ministry of Commerce announced that the upcoming 26th China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) will feature Finland and Saudi Arabia as its inaugural 'Dual Guest Countries of Honor.' Spanning 200,000 square meters, the event will host delegations from 123 countries and regions alongside 16 specialized 'Invest in China' promotional events. Amid global cross-border investment uncertainty, the fair aims to strengthen bilateral dialogues, expand financial matchmaking, and support both inward foreign investment and Chinese enterprises expanding abroad.

Against a backdrop of heightened volatility in global cross-border capital flows, the structural upgrades to CIFIT highlight Beijing's continued push to stabilize foreign investor expectations and expand institutionalized channels for two-way investment.

China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) has outlined the agenda for the 26th China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT), introducing new bilateral formats and expanded financial services to promote cross-border capital flows, according to briefings at a State Council Information Office press conference reported by People's Daily. For the first time, the fair has designated 'Dual Guest Countries of Honor,' featuring Finland and Saudi Arabia, alongside 'Dual Guest Provinces' Guangdong and Qinghai to balance representation from eastern and western China. According to Ling Ji, Vice Minister of Commerce and Deputy China International Trade Representative, the fair will cover a 200,000-square-meter exhibition area structured around three main tracks: 'Invest in China,' 'China Investment,' and 'International Investment.' Delegations from 123 countries and regions have registered, with 60 setting up dedicated exhibition pavilions. CIFIT will also feature specialized multilateral and bilateral sessions, including the 5th anniversary of the China-Europe Business Council, Sino-US subnational trade events, and bilateral investment dialogues with nations such as the United Kingdom, Sweden, Bulgaria, and Indonesia. International organizations including the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the International Trade Centre (ITC), and the New Development Bank will host concurrent forums. Financial sector participation has expanded markedly, with the dedicated finance exhibition area and participating institutions doubling compared to the previous edition. Around 140 leading financial institutions and listed companies are participating. The People's Bank of China's Cross-Border Clearing Company will anchor a specialized zone bringing together more than 70 Chinese and foreign commercial banks to provide global cross-border settlement and financial services, while institutions such as China Investment Corporation (CIC), Bank of China, and CITIC Group organize dedicated matchmaking roadshows. Alongside the exhibition, MOFCOM will stage 16 'Invest in China' thematic sessions, stated Meng Huating, Director General of the Foreign Investment Management Department. Meng noted that China has established 16 bilateral investment promotion working mechanisms, having held working group sessions with Sweden and the Netherlands earlier this year, with additional meetings planned with the UK and Germany before year-end to address enterprise feedback and coordinate industrial cooperation.