World Trade Center Haikou Showcases at 2025 CIFTIS with Strong Global Participation

WTCA and partners hosted 14 forums and dialogues, drawing wide attention at Beijing’s Shougang Park

From September 10 to 14, 2025, the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), led by the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) and jointly organized with World Trade Center Haikou, World Trade Center Singapore, World Trade Center Hangzhou, and partners, was successfully held at Shougang Park in Beijing.

WTCA and its members hosted 14 themed supporting activities, focusing on opportunities and challenges for Chinese enterprises going global, as well as innovative service models worldwide. These included the China International Compliance Forum and Going Global Sub-Forum, the International Consumption Conference, the International Project Matchmaking Conference, the Southeast Asia session, the Hainan Free Trade Port “Opportunities in island-wide special customs operations” session, enterprise project launches, a closed-door dialogue on Chinese enterprises’ globalization, and more. The WTCA booth was hailed by many companies and media outlets as one of the most popular at this year’s CIFTIS.

Opening Ceremony & Global Service Trade Summit
On the morning of September 10, the CIFTIS opening ceremony and “Global Trade in Service Summit” were held at Shougang Park. Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message. Ding Xuexiang, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, attended and delivered the keynote speech. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Peruvian President Dina Boluarte addressed the summit via video. WTCA Executive Director Crystal Edn was invited to attend the opening ceremony and summit.

That afternoon, at the “2025 International Consumption Conference,” Crystal Edn delivered a speech quoting Confucius’ idea of “harmony without uniformity,” stressing that real progress stems from balancing diversity and cooperation. She thanked the organizers and partners, noting that CIFTIS has become a vital platform for international dialogue and collaboration. Edn introduced WTCA’s global presence in nearly 100 countries and 300 World Trade Centers, committed to fostering a dynamic international business ecosystem. She highlighted China’s role as the world’s second-largest consumer market and innovation hub, shaping global consumption and trade patterns. WTCA’s partnership with CIFTIS not only helps international companies enter China but also supports Chinese companies in expanding globally. She also announced that WTCA will host its Global Business Forum in Philadelphia, USA, in April 2026, bringing together business leaders, investors, and policymakers worldwide.

On the same day, WTC Singapore, together with DBS Bank and Rajah & Tann Asia, held the special roundtable dialogue “Southeast Asia Session: Singapore, Your Gateway to Southeast Asia,” providing practical pathways and financial support for Chinese enterprises to enter the Southeast Asian market.

On September 11, the “2025 Global Building Economy Ecosystem Conference” was held at Samsung Tower in Beijing CBD. WTCA Vice President Wang Xun was invited to attend and introduced the global ecosystem of World Trade Centers and its deep integration with China’s building economy. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience working in the WTCA system, he elaborated on the diversified formats of World Trade Centers covering nearly 100 countries and more than 300 cities worldwide, including landmark office buildings, commercial complexes, convention and exhibition centers, industrial parks, airport zones, and future data centers. Through its brand, network, and services, it builds a unified value system. Wang pointed out that buildings are important physical carriers of the WTC ecosystem in cities, as well as international business landmarks and resource hubs, enabling local enterprises to connect globally.

On the morning of September 11, WTC Haikou, together with SCHUNG RUI Tax Group, held a sub-meeting — the roundtable dialogue “Opportunities in Customs Closure of Hainan Free Trade Port,” inviting the Hainan International Economic Development Bureau and Hainan Resort Software Community to give in-depth interpretations of Hainan’s opening-up policies and investment opportunities. On the afternoon of the 11th, WTC Hangzhou and the Shenzhen Cross-Border E-Commerce Association jointly hosted the event “Decoding Cross-border E-commerce, Empowering Chinese Brands Going Global,” exploring strategies for Chinese brands to expand into international markets through cross-border e-commerce.

At the same time, WTC Singapore and CGL Consulting jointly released the white paper “Going Global, Talent Leading the Way — Global Talent Strategy for Enterprises,” providing talent strategy guidance for Chinese enterprises’ globalization.

On the morning of September 13, Crystal Edn attended the “2025 International Cooperation Fair for Project Promotion & Matchmaking” and stated that cross-border B2B connections are especially critical in today’s world, as they can transcend political and geographic boundaries to drive innovation and shared prosperity. She quoted the Chinese proverb “A single tree does not make a forest,” calling for building a sustainable “forest” of shared opportunities through platforms such as CIFTIS. The conference, co-hosted by WTCA, attracted participation from multiple WTCs and enterprise representatives from various countries.

During the parallel meetings on the 13^th September, the “China Enterprise International Compliance Forum, organized by the Accounting Society For Foreign Economic Relations & Trade of China and the Statistical Society for Foreign Economic Relations and Trade of China at Shangri-La Hotel, Shougang Park, discussed the compliance risks under the new situation of international trade and economy. The forum aimed to enhance the comprehensive and systematic international compliance capabilities of Chinese enterprises in their “going global” journeys. More than 200 participants, including representatives of international organizations, multinational companies, government departments, foreign trade enterprises, society members and professional committees, law firms, accounting firms, and media, attended the forum.

On the afternoon, WTCA gathered representatives from multiple WTCs for a symposium, discussing previews of major WTCA events to be held in 2026 and 2027, B2B project cooperation among members, and in-depth discussions on innovative service trade models. The goal was to explore how WTCA can better empower member enterprises in the digital era and continue to strengthen cooperation density among members.

On September 14, WTC Singapore and the Embassy of Moldova co-hosted the “Famous Liquor & Culture Exchange Meeting” at the WTCA booth, presenting a cross-cultural feast.

During the parallel meetings, WTC Singapore, WTC Haikou, and Hejun Consulting jointly held a closed-door meeting themed “China Enterprises Going Global Exchange Meeting” at the International Business Lounge of Samsung Tower, inviting several listed companies focused on overseas expansion, representatives of international chambers of commerce, and WTC representatives. They shared real overseas market cases and solutions, not only building a pragmatic, win-win cooperation bridge among enterprises but also bringing this year’s CIFTIS to a successful close.

Against the backdrop of global economic contraction and the stock era, WTC Haikou  will continue to uphold its mission of “Connecting Businesses Globally,” taking adcantages of WTCA’s vast global business network and world-class facilities to provide more cooperation opportunities for Chinese enterprises to both “bring in” and “go out.”