25th CIFIT kicks off in Xiamen

CHINA’S only major national exhibition focused on theme of investment, the 25th China International Fair for Investment and Trade (Cifit), opened on Monday in Xiamen, Fujian province, once again highlighting the country’s ongoing commitment to further opening up, fostering cooperation and sharing development opportunities with the world.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday sent a congratulatory letter to the 25th Cifit.

Xi stressed that as a major contributor and anchor of stability for global economic growth, China will unswervingly expand high-level opening up, promote the liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment, continue to share its development opportunities with the world, and inject more positive energy and certainty into global development.

OPENING UP The 25th China International Fair for Investment and Trade (Cifit) opens in Xiamen, Fujian province, on Sept. 8, 2025. The 25th Cifit is seen as a chance for China to demonstrate its commitment in opening up to the world, as well as attract foreign investors. GLOBAL TIMES PHOTO

Organized by China’s Ministry of Commerce, this international event, which is taking place from Monday to Thursday, has attracted delegations from more than 120 countries and regions, as well as 11 international organizations, with exhibitions from 51 countries and regions.

This year’s exhibition covers a total area of 120,000 square meters and will host more than 100 investment promotion activities, aiming to serve as a flagship event for “Invest in China” and an important platform for facilitating two-way investment.

Global presence

The event garnered active participation from government and business representatives worldwide who saw the platform as an important opportunity to further explore the market of the world’s second-largest economy and expand cooperation with Chinese partners.

This year, more than 100 British companies and institutions from various industries are participating in the event.

Speaking at Cifit, the UK Trade Commissioner for China Lewis Neal told the Global Times that his country is greatly honored to be the guest of honor at this year’s fair.

As one of Europe’s leading investment destinations, this recognition not only reflects the increasingly close investment ties between the United Kingdom and China, but also demonstrates the UK’s strong commitment to deepening economic cooperation with China, Neal said.

Cifit 2025 provides Chinese investors with a platform to connect directly with UK businesses, Neal said.

Cifit is also an occasion for American businesses to expand their presence in China.

Harley Seyedin, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in South China, told the Global Times that they have attended Cifit for more than 20 years, and this year, the American delegation has brought more than 50 companies. These companies are involved in just about every type of activity possible, including consumer products, artificial intelligence, new technology development, and research and development.

“We will continue to attend Cifit, simply because this event represents every province and autonomous region in China at the highest possible level … We have meetings with many provinces, and it helps us discover new opportunities that are available in China and helps us invest,” Seyedin said.

Renee Wang, executive vice president, ZF Group, president of ZF China and Operation Asia-Pacific, told the Global Times that the German company is honored to participate in this year’s Cifit, which serves as a critical barometer for China’s continued commitment to high-level opening up and international cooperation.

Wang noted that their participation is a reflection of the company’s long-term confidence in China’s role as a vital engine for global growth and innovation.

Over the past five years, ZF China has invested nearly 12 billion yuan in plants, production equipment, and particularly in digitalization and automation. “We believe the investment opportunities in the Chinese market are not only vast but are also continuously evolving toward higher quality,” Wang said.