China International Fair for Investment & Trade (CIFIT)

The China International Fair for Investment & Trade (CIFIT) is China's largest national event dedicated to two-way investment and international investment cooperation. The fair has been held in Xiamen annually since 1997 and is organised by the Ministry of Commerce of the PRC. CIFIT brings together state investment agencies, industrial parks, financial institutions, companies and investors from China and abroad.

The 26th session runs 8–11 September 2026 and is the first to be held at the new Xiamen International Expo Center. The total exhibition area will reach about 200,000 m² — the largest venue in CIFIT's history.

CIFIT brings together investment agencies, industrial parks, financial institutions, investors and companies. The programme includes project presentations, forums, business meetings and negotiations with potential partners.

CIFIT is built around three main pillars — “Invest in China”, “China Investment” and “Global Investment”. Special attention is paid to new quality productive forces, green and sustainable development, technological innovation and other promising directions.

Be clear about what CIFIT is. It is a fair about investment projects and business cooperation. If you are looking for a production site in China, want to set up local production or assembly, find a joint-venture partner, explore industrial parks and regional incentives, or attract investment — CIFIT can be especially useful. If your task is finding a specific product and comparing manufacturers, better choose specialised industry fairs in our exhibitions catalogue.

Xiamen International Expo Center is the new venue for CIFIT 2026. The complex has a total exhibition area of about 400,000 m² (300,000 m² of covered halls and 100,000 m² of open-air space). CIFIT 2026, in turn, occupies about 200,000 m² of exhibition space.

The organisers have already published the layout of the thematic areas, so you can plan your route around the fair in advance:

• Global Cooperation Area (Pavilion 6). Business environment, advanced technologies and international investment projects. More than 30 countries and regions have confirmed participation, including Finland, Germany and Italy. Special focus on healthcare and the coffee industry.
• Chinese Provinces and Cities Promotion Area (Pavilion 4). Regional investment offers, key industries and innovative projects of Chinese provinces and cities, plus business environment conditions and opportunities for investors.
• Finance and Capital Matchmaking Area (Pavilion 5). More than 67 financial and investment organisations, including banks, funds, exchanges and financial institutions. Key themes — cross-border investment, capital raising and partner search.
• International Investment Services (CIPS) Area (Pavilion 6). International and regional banks, cross-border RMB settlement and financial solutions for Chinese companies expanding abroad. Special bank–enterprise meetings are planned.
• Premium Goods Collection Area (Pavilion 8). Consumer goods and international trade. The area brings together manufacturers and buyers from China and other countries, helping to find new partners and build sales channels. About 100,000 buyers and exhibitors are expected.
• New Quality Productive Forces Area (Pavilion 2). AI, the low-altitude economy, industrial internet, digitalisation and smart manufacturing. Robotics, drones, cloud technologies and interactive demonstrations, plus business meetings and project presentations.
• International Engineering Supply Chain Area (Pavilion 3). Engineering solutions, building materials, smart construction, renewable energy and support for overseas projects. Aimed primarily at international markets and Belt and Road countries.
• 2026 China International Public Security & Legal Technology Expo and Going Global Legal & Business Services Exhibition (Pavilion 1). AI in security, compliance, cross-border disputes and legal support for Chinese companies going global. Forums, presentations and business meetings are on the programme.
• “Envisioning the Future” Capital and Project Matchmaking Hall (Pavilion 1). Finding investors and promising projects across 10 directions, including AI, smart manufacturing, new energy and healthcare. Project presentations, negotiations and networking are provided.

Venue (from 2026): Xiamen International Expo Center — 厦门国际博览中心. In Baidu Maps, search for: 厦门国际博览中心.

Note the venue change. Until 2025, CIFIT was held at the Xiamen International Conference & Exhibition Center (厦门国际会展中心). From the 26th session the fair moves to the new complex — a different part of the city, so always double-check the address when booking your hotel and ordering a taxi.

By metro: Line 3 to International Expo Center (国际博览中心).

From Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport (XMN) — a taxi is more convenient: ~¥30–50, ~20 min.

From Xiamen Railway Station (厦门站) — metro Line 3 to International Expo Center (国际博览中心), no transfers: ~¥12, ~45 min. Taxi: ~¥40–60, ~30 min.

From Xiamen North Railway Station (厦门北站) — a taxi is more convenient: ~¥40–60, about 30 min.

How to use taxis in China — read our article “How to Use Taxis in China: A Detailed Guide for Foreigners”.

Register online in advance: https://www.chinafair.org.cn/CifitSystem/index/, or on site. If registering on site, it is recommended to arrive early.

Badge collection. Bring your passport and your registration confirmation. The exact badge rules and on-site registration procedure are best checked closer to the fair in the official CIFIT system.

Bring documents, not just business cards. If you are coming for an investment or production partner, prepare a short company profile in English and Chinese: what the company does, which project interests you, what investment or production volume is being considered and what requirements you have for a potential partner.

Business cards. It is useful to have bilingual business cards for the Chinese side: company name, name, position, phone, e-mail and a brief description of your activity. This makes follow-up communication with managers after the fair much easier.

Visa. Entry rules depend on your citizenship — check the current requirements for your passport before booking your trip. Russian citizens have visa-free entry to China for up to 30 days, including for business trips. For longer stays a visa is required.

Weather. In early September Xiamen is usually hot and humid — about 26–32 °C.

Opening hours. CIFIT 2026 runs 8–11 September. Typically 9:30–17:00; on the last day the fair closes earlier, around 15:00. Do not schedule important meetings for the final day: some exhibitors start packing up early.

Hotels. If getting to the expo center quickly is your priority, choose a hotel in the Xiang'an district (翔安区) or near metro Line 3.

Bring an interpreter if you are going for serious investment contacts. Unlike ordinary product fairs, CIFIT is about investment projects, regional operating conditions, financial instruments, international cooperation and expansion into foreign markets. English levels vary among participants, so an interpreter with fluent Chinese will be a big advantage.

Payments and communication. Before you fly, install and set up Alipay and link a foreign bank card. For a detailed guide on installing and setting up Alipay, linking your card and how foreigners pay in China, read our article How to Pay in China in 2026: A Complete Guide. It also covers the main payment methods in China and specific considerations for foreign tourists. With Alipay you can pay for most everyday expenses in China — from transport and taxis to restaurants, shops and hotels.

Also arrange your mobile internet in advance: an eSIM or a roaming package will come in handy for maps, taxis and online translation.