The 2022 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), themed Cooperate for Better Development, Innovate for a Greener Future, took place in Beijing on August 31-September 5.

In his congratulatory letter, President Xi Jinping said the CIFTIS is a crucial platform for China to wider open its doors, deepen cooperation and pioneer innovation, contributing to promoting the development of the global service industry and trade. China remains committed to pursuing high-quality development through high-level opening up, broadening market access in the service sector, and striving to establish a high-standard system for its internationalization. He stressed that China is ready to work with other countries to uphold real multilateralism, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, and jointly promote an open and shared service economy to inject impetus into the recovery of the global economy.

The level of international participation, the volume of transactions and the number of visitors and participating enterprises all exceeded those of the event's previous edition, a sign that it is gaining traction as a platform for collaboration.

In addition to the 1,300-plus projects and contracts signed, this year's CIFTIS saw more than 100 forums and meetings for government officials, scholars and industry insiders to exchange the views, sharing their ideas on the recovery of the world economy and trade. The mainstream opinion in the international community, too, remains in favor of the multilateral trading system.

A staunch supporter of this system, China actively participates in the formulation of international rules and standards concerning trade in services. It's also intensifying and expanding cooperation with major partners. The country will scale up support for the growth of the service sector in the countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative, and improve bilateral and multilateral mechanisms with other members of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) grouping and the eight-member Shanghai Cooperation Organization. China will enhance the CIFTIS' role while broadening the international networks for trade in services, making the fair a more globally oriented event.