Arabfields, Farah Benali, Economic Correspondent, China — Global companies are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence, robotics and green technology as new areas for commercial partnerships with China, following the conclusion of the 2026 China International Fair for Trade in Services in Beijing.

The five-day event brought together participants from 90 countries, regions and international organizations, while more than 1,800 companies showcased their services and technologies at the Shougang Park venue.

For many foreign exhibitors, the fair was more than a simple showcase. It provided direct access to Chinese companies, technology developers and potential partners in sectors where digital innovation and low-carbon solutions are becoming increasingly important.

Divij Baznath, project management head at Mauritius-based United Docks, left Beijing with a long-term agreement that could deepen his company’s cooperation with Chinese partners.

United Docks signed a 10-year preferred partnership agreement with Beijing Construction Engineering Group, covering projects ranging from highways to smart commercial developments.

The collaboration reflects a broader interest among international companies in adapting Chinese technologies and engineering solutions to local conditions.

In Mauritius, an island economy exposed to humidity and corrosive marine conditions, construction technologies designed to improve energy efficiency have become particularly attractive. Chinese engineers have developed solutions aimed at reducing emissions while improving resistance to corrosion and ultraviolet radiation.

Agriculture was another sector in which technology attracted strong international attention.

A smart traceability system developed by Chinese researchers is now being used in more than 20 countries across the Asia-Pacific region, Africa and Latin America. The technology allows agricultural products to be linked to data covering temperature, water conditions, soil moisture and other environmental indicators.

Supporters of such systems believe they could become increasingly important as exporters face stricter requirements on traceability, sustainability and product origin in international markets.

For farmers and agricultural businesses, the technology could also help improve access to overseas buyers and potentially increase the value of products entering major consumer markets.

Artificial intelligence, however, remained one of the strongest themes of the Beijing event.

Synnove Nes, a project manager at the Kristiansund and Nordmore Chamber of Commerce in Norway, brought five companies to the fair to explore potential partnerships in AI and robotics.

Norwegian businesses see growing opportunities to combine their expertise in ocean technology with Chinese advances in artificial intelligence and automation.

That interest reflects a broader trend expected to continue beyond the exhibition. AI is increasingly moving from experimental applications into practical uses in transport, logistics, manufacturing, agriculture and energy, creating new opportunities for companies able to combine software with established industrial expertise.

The scale of China’s digital infrastructure also impressed visiting business representatives.

Henning Kristoffersen, commercial counselor at the Norwegian Embassy in China, pointed to the speed of China’s delivery and digital services ecosystem as an example of the infrastructure supporting the country’s technology sector.

The 2026 CIFTIS highlighted growing international competition for partnerships in artificial intelligence and green development at a time when companies are seeking new markets and technologies to improve productivity.

More than 80 companies and institutions had planned to present over 180 innovative achievements at the event, covering artificial intelligence, healthcare, cultural industries and green and low-carbon development.

The momentum suggests that cooperation in services and technology could become an increasingly important part of China’s commercial relationships with overseas markets.

Looking ahead, the strongest opportunities are likely to emerge in sectors where Chinese technological capabilities can be combined with local expertise and market knowledge. Green construction, smart agriculture, robotics and ocean technology are among the areas that could benefit from deeper international partnerships.

For international exhibitors, the main challenge will now be to turn discussions held in Beijing into lasting commercial agreements.

The agreements and contacts established during the 2026 fair suggest that companies from Africa, Europe and other regions are increasingly looking beyond traditional trade relationships and towards technology-driven partnerships.

As artificial intelligence and green technologies reshape the global economy, future editions of CIFTIS are likely to attract even greater interest from companies seeking access to China’s expanding innovation ecosystem and new opportunities in international trade in services.