Prominent global companies attending trade service event held in China's capital, Beijing

The China International Fair for Trade in Services began in Beijing on Thursday, with nearly 200 forums and promotional activities to be held within its six-day agenda.

As this year's only global comprehensive fair centering on trade in services, the fact that the event is being held as scheduled amid the COVID-19 outbreak is of great significance, a senior official said. It reflects China's resolution to advance high-level opening-up and the country's commitment to the global fight against the pandemic and promoting a recovery in the global economy.

During the event, experts will conduct in-depth discussions on strategic and structural issues related to global trade in services.

CIFTIS has developed into the largest comprehensive exhibition in the field of global trade in services and a major platform for China's opening-up, according to Sun Yao, director of the Beijing Investment Promotion Service Center and deputy director of Beijing Commerce Bureau.

The event is of great significance to promoting the construction of a new development pattern and the high-quality development of China's foreign trade, helping the country deepen international cooperation and participate in global economic governance, Sun added.

With the theme of working toward a digital future and service-driven development, the 2021 CIFTIS is holding five summit forums on Friday, along with 193 thematic forums and promotional activities running throughout the event's time frame.

Hosts for the five forums include the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Development Research Center of the State Council, the World Tourism Cities Federation, and the Beijing municipal government.

During the fair, more than 180 distinguished guests from home and abroad will exchange views on such issues as the high-quality development of trade in services, opening-up and cooperation, new digital ecology and revitalizing world tourism.