The highly anticipated 26th China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) will make its debut at the Xiamen International Expo Center from Sept 8 to 11. Behind this flagship event lies a thriving MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) industry in Xiamen, one that continues to evolve and innovate.

And the numbers speak for themselves. In the first half of this year alone, Xiamen hosted 71 exhibitions, covering a total area of nearly 1.19 million square meters — a year-on-year increase of 24.74 percent.

Xiamen International Expo Center. [Photo/Xiamen Daily]

Policy support powers professional exhibitions

Xiamen enacted a special economic zone regulation on the MICE industry in 2020, providing a legal foundation for the industry. Supporting policies have moved away from broad subsidies in favor of a more targeted, tiered incentive system to help exhibitions grow stronger and more professional. 

A one-stop service system for major exhibitions also ensures international exhibitors get on-site support and streamlined services.

City-industry synergy creates a business-friendly environment

In late 2024, Xiamen pioneered the " MICE-friendly city" concept in China, focusing on five pillars: environment, services, transportation, hotels, and venues. The city received the " MICE-Friendly City of the Year" award in July 2025, marking the second year in a row it has earned the honor.

Xiamen now has three major venues — the Xiamen International Conference and Exhibition Center, the Xiamen International Expo Center, and the Xiamen Fliport C&E Center — with indoor space exceeding 500,000 sq m. The natural beauty and cultural depth give its exhibitions a unique character that sets them apart from those in other cities.

To take things further, Xiamen has rolled out a "five modernizations" approach, focusing on specialization, refinement, integration, standardization, and intelligentization.

Global vision raises international profile

Xiamen International Expo Center is a next-generation digital and intelligent venue. [Photo/Xiamen Daily]

CIFIT has earned its place among the world's most influential investment fairs, and specialized events like the Stone Fair have developed strong industry pull. On the cross-Strait front, events such as the Cross-Strait Cultural Fair facilitate integrated development.

Since 2025, Xiamen has hosted multiple national-level exhibitions, including the China Sports Show. In the first quarter of this year, 389 local companies participated in over 110 international trade fairs across 24 countries. 

Beyond venues creates a sustainable ecosystem

The 2026 Xiamen Stone Fair. [Photo/Xiamen Daily]

Xiamen's exhibition industry has moved beyond one-off events and is now working to build lasting industry communities.

Meanwhile, the sector is accelerating its green and digital transformation. Eco-friendly custom booths made up 65.33 percent of all trade exhibitions in 2025, while XIEC has introduced a next-generation smart venue that uses intelligent systems to boost efficiency and improve visitor experience.

With the potential BBNJ Agreement Secretariat coming to Xiamen soon and the new Xiang'an International Airport set to open, the city is seizing this historic moment to become an international MICE destination that blends industry, culture, and commerce.