The 12th China (Shanghai) International Technology Import and Export Fair (CSITF) will be held from June 11 to 13 at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center. The fair is organized by the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government under the theme “Building a New Ecosystem for Technology Trade, Writing a New Chapter of Global Cooperation.” Preparations are now largely complete.

I. Basic Information about the Fair

This year’s fair aligns with the national and Shanghai “15th Five-Year Plan” outlines on technological innovation and expanding high-level opening-up. Adhering to the principles of “innovation-driven development, intellectual property protection, and technology trade promotion,” the fair will feature one themed exhibition area, four professional technology exhibition areas, and one innovation and trading service zone, covering a total area of 38,000 square meters. It will bring together innovative achievements from 22 countries and regions worldwide and 24 provinces and cities across China. The number of participating companies will exceed 1,000 for the first time, reaching 1,006. During the event, there will be an opening ceremony, as well as three themed days focused on the Guest City of Honor, international organizations, and intellectual property, along with over 40 themed promotion activities.

II. Main Features of the Fair

1. More Prominent Professional Characteristics. In line with the “15th Five-Year Plan” requirements to deepen the integration of technological and industrial innovation and cultivate new productive forces, the exhibition areas are targeting new tracks. The Digital Intelligence and Technology Zone will focus on cutting-edge technologies in artificial intelligence, large models, commercial cryptography, the industrial internet, and smart ports, showcasing Shanghai’s digital transformation achievements. Aiming for the “dual carbon” goals, the Green Technology Zone will gather innovations in green fuels, energy storage and transportation, and agricultural technology. Supporting the “Maritime Power” strategy, the Marine Technology Zone will cover technologies such as smart ships, marine engineering equipment, and maritime communications, highlighting Shanghai’s industrial advantages and leadership. To boost the “consumption stimulation” initiative, the Consumer Technology and Health Technology Zone will introduce new technologies and products in smart homes, brain-computer interfaces, and rehabilitation and elderly care, using interactive and immersive experiences to demonstrate the latest applications in “AI + consumption” areas like smart wearables, beauty, and fashion.

2. More Diverse Supporting Activities. Using a “1+3+N” model, the Guest City of Honor Day will feature trade and economic exchange activities with foreign partners; the International Organizations Day will host high-level seminars and promotions by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, the United Nations Development Programme, and the World Intellectual Property Organization; and the Intellectual Property Day will include briefings on Shanghai’s IP work for consulates. Over 40 themed promotion activities will be held based on exhibition area features, such as the Cryptography Application and Innovation Development Conference and the Brain Science and Brain-Computer Interface Innovation Development Exchange Meeting. For cross-border trade and investment, the “Export China” 2026 Shanghai International Technology Cooperation Matchmaking Meeting will take place. Additionally, over 60 matchmaking meetings between Chinese and foreign enterprises will be organized.

3. Deeper International Cooperation. For the first time, the fair will adopt a dual Guest City of Honor mechanism, with Lausanne (Switzerland) and the Scottish city cluster (Glasgow, Stirling, Inverness, Dundee, Edinburgh) serving as overseas Guest Cities of Honor, and Dalian and Nanjing as domestic Guest Cities of Honor. An international exhibition area will feature 26 overseas trade promotion agencies and business associations from countries including Germany and France, organizing 74 companies to showcase innovations in robotics, precision manufacturing, and digital solutions, while releasing over 80 technology cooperation demands.

4. More Practical Supply-Demand Matching. By coordinating with municipal and district departments, key business associations, industrial parks, and provincial representative offices in Shanghai, and expanding new channels such as consulates and overseas trade promotion agencies, a comprehensive recruitment system combining domestic and international efforts, online and offline integration, and targeted invitations will be built to precisely invite professional visitors. Alongside exhibition and recruitment work, technology cooperation demands and projects will be widely collected, and preliminary results will be prepared. Nearly 200 technology managers will be on-site to “scout exhibitions,” facilitating precise matching of technology supply and demand and achievement transformation both domestically and internationally.

5. More Optimized Service Ecosystem. Focusing on key links in achievement transformation and technology trade, the fair will organize 36 domestic and overseas universities, high-quality incubators, concept validation centers, and open innovation centers of large enterprises to exhibit, showcasing the full-chain ecosystem of “basic research – concept validation – incubation acceleration – industrial implementation.” The Innovation and Trading Service Zone will

Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center

The Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center was originally built as the theme pavilion for the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, a landmark event that attracted millions of visitors from around the world. After the Expo concluded, the venue was repurposed into a modern convention and exhibition center, hosting international conferences, trade shows, and cultural events. Its distinctive architectural design and historical significance as part of the Expo legacy make it a key cultural and business hub in Shanghai.

Lausanne

Lausanne is a historic city in Switzerland located on the shores of Lake Geneva, known for its medieval old town and as the home of the International Olympic Committee. Its history dates back to Roman times, but it gained prominence in the Middle Ages as a major religious center under the Bishop of Lausanne. Today, the city is a vibrant cultural hub, featuring the Gothic Lausanne Cathedral and numerous museums.

Glasgow

Glasgow is Scotland’s largest city, known for its rich industrial heritage as a major hub for shipbuilding and trade during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Its cultural significance is reflected in landmarks like the Glasgow Cathedral, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, and the vibrant music scene that earned it the title of UNESCO City of Music. Today, the city blends Victorian architecture with modern innovation, offering a dynamic mix of history, art, and urban life.

Stirling

Stirling is a historic city in central Scotland, best known for its pivotal role in the Wars of Scottish Independence. It is home to Stirling Castle, a key royal fortress, and the nearby Wallace Monument, which commemorates the 13th-century hero William Wallace. The city’s strategic location made it the site of major battles, including the Battle of Stirling Bridge (1297) and the Battle of Bannockburn (1314).

Inverness

Inverness is a historic city in the Scottish Highlands, often regarded as the region’s cultural capital. Its history dates back to the 6th century, and it played a key role in the Jacobite risings, famously near the site of the Battle of Culloden in 1746. Today, Inverness is known for its scenic location on the River Ness, nearby Loch Ness, and well-preserved medieval castle.

Dundee

Dundee is a city on the east coast of Scotland, historically known as a center for jute, jam, and journalism (the “three Js”) during the Industrial Revolution. It is home to the RRS Discovery, the ship used by Captain Scott for his Antarctic expedition, which now serves as a major visitor attraction. Today, Dundee is a vibrant cultural hub, best known for the V&A Dundee, Scotland’s first design museum, and its revitalized waterfront.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, is a historic city dominated by its iconic Edinburgh Castle, which sits atop an extinct volcano and has been a royal residence since the 12th century. The city’s Old Town and New Town are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, showcasing medieval alleyways and Georgian architecture. Edinburgh is also famous for its annual festivals, including the world-renowned Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Dalian

Dalian is a major port city in northeastern China with a history shaped by Russian and Japanese colonial influences in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Originally a small fishing village, it was developed by Russia as a strategic ice-free port (named Dalny) and later controlled by Japan, leaving a legacy of European and Japanese architecture. Today, Dalian is a modern industrial and tourism hub, known for its scenic coastline, squares, and vibrant international atmosphere.