Close to 2,000 foreign and Chinese companies, including Global Fortune 500 firms and leading international enterprises, have expressed intent to participate in this year's China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), scheduled for September 10-14 in Beijing, according to a press conference held on Wednesday.

Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce Sheng Qiuping said preparations are nearly complete, with more than 70 countries and international organizations expected to host exhibitions and events at the fair.

Notably, Australia, serving as the guest country of honor for the first time, will send its largest-ever delegation of nearly 60 companies and institutions to the fair.

This year's fair will be held under the theme "Embrace Intelligent Technologies, Empower Trade in Services." It will spotlight areas such as artificial intelligence, healthcare, smart logistics, and the integration of business, culture, tourism, and sports.

A stronger emphasis will be placed on high-quality service offerings, brand showcases, and smart applications of new technologies. Over 100 companies are expected to debut more than 190 new products and innovations, alongside the release of demonstration cases in fields including AI and green innovation.

Beyond exhibitions, CIFTIS will feature more than 170 forums, promotional sessions, and business matchmaking events, creating a platform for policy dialogue, industry insight sharing, and partnership opportunities. Several authoritative reports, such as the China Service Trade Development Report, will also be unveiled during the fair.

Since its inception in 2012, CIFTIS has become a global stage for showcasing new trends, technologies, and achievements in the services sector, bringing together enterprises from around the world to share opportunities stemming from China's opening up and development of trade in services.