On September 10, the 2025 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), one of China's three major open exhibition platforms (alongside the Canton Fair and the China International Import Expo), opened at the Shougang Park in Beijing. This marks the first time Anhui has participated as the Guest Province of Honor.

On the same day, Hefei Customs released the latest foreign trade data: in the first eight months of this year, Anhui's total import and export value of goods trade reached 629.43 billion yuan. The province retained its 9th place nationwide in total trade value and ranked 6th in growth rate. 

Against the backdrop of global pressure on goods trade growth, trade in services constitutes a vital part of international trade and a key area of international economic and trade cooperation, playing a significant role in constructing a new development paradigm. Anhui's participation as the Guest Province of Honor at this year's CIFTIS reflects national recognition of its rapid foreign trade development and high expectations for its accelerated growth in trade in services.

Anhui's total trade in services has surged from RMB 33.37 billion in 2020 to RMB 49.27 billion in 2024, with an average annual growth rate of 10.2%. In the first half of this year, the total trade in services reached RMB 30.64 billion, a year-on-year increase of 34.4%, ranking third in the country in terms of growth rate. This demonstrates strong development resilience and momentum.

Therefore, as the Guest Province of Honor at CIFTIS, a major platform for opening up, Anhui is seizing the opportunity to fully showcase its comprehensive strengths and "flex its muscles" in fields such as artificial intelligence, aiming to highlight the vast potential for developing modern services—particularly producer services—and facilitate broader open collaboration.

Beyond showcasing Anhui's achievements at CIFTIS, the province is also leveraging the event to connect with global resources.

With China's digital technology, particularly artificial intelligence, entering a fast track of development, technological and industrial advantages continue to empower small and medium-sized enterprises to compete globally. The competitiveness of high-tech and high-value-added service exports has been consistently enhanced, and the structure has been continuously optimized, further driving inclusive growth with broader scope, more diverse participants, and more balanced development.

Focusing on Anhui, the province has seized the opportunity of digital transformation. In the first half of this year, digitally delivered trade, centered on insurance, finance, personal culture and entertainment, telecommunications, computer and information services, and intellectual property royalties, delivered impressive performance. The import and export volume reached RMB 12.37 billion, accounting for 40.4% of the total trade in services.

While trade in goods is flourishing, how can we expand trade in services and cultivate new drivers of foreign trade? An in-depth visit to the CIFTIS reveals that exhibiting companies are eager to expand their services overseas, seeking precise connections with international markets, capital, and policies to further facilitate the global expansion of their technologies.

According to an official from the Anhui Provincial Department of Commerce, Anhui has established a high-level open system featuring multi-tiered national platforms such as the "Comprehensive Pilot Program for Expanding Openness in the Service Industry," the "Pilot Initiative for Comprehensive Deepening of Innovative Development in Trade in Services," and the "Service Outsourcing Demonstration Cities," all working in synergy. Moving forward, Anhui will fully support Hefei's bid to create national demonstration zones for innovative development in trade in services and digital trade, striving to contribute more "Anhui wisdom" and "Anhui solutions" to the high-quality development of trade in services nationwide.

Source: Anhui Daily