Themed "embrace intelligent technologies, empower trade in services", the fair covers a diverse range of sectors, including finance, culture and tourism, education, sports, supply chain, and healthcare services.
This year's event will host nearly 2,000 companies, including around 500 Fortune Global 500 firms and industry leaders, representing 27 of the world's top 30 services trade economies.
Australia is the guest country of honor, bringing the largest-ever delegation of 59 companies to the event. They will engage in a full range of activities including exhibitions, business talks, corporate matchmaking, and some side events.
To facilitate media coverage, a press center, repurposed from an old industrial workshop, has been officially opened in the Shougang Park.
"We have attracted over 3,200 reporters from more than 300 media organizations from home and abroad. We are committed to providing comprehensive support for media professionals, including information dissemination, workspaces, transportation, and catering services," said Zhang Zhimei, director of the Publicity and Information Department, Beijing International Trade in Services Center.
The press center is equipped with cutting-edge technology, featuring multiple smart robots to enhance the media experience.
"Our photography robots and water-delivery robots on the upper floor can perform over 100 tasks daily in the venue, serving more than 1,000 people. We also have specialized cleaning robots to ensure the venue remains hygienic," said Zhao Yongbo, chief marketing officer of Yunji Technology.
The event will run for five days -- the first three days designated for professional visitors and the last two for public access.
Since its inception in 2012, CIFTIS has brought together enterprises from around the world to share opportunities stemming from China's opening up and development of trade in services.
China's service trade fair to open in Beijing
The Navy of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said that the Strait of Hormuz has been blocked since Saturday evening and will not reopen until the United States lifts its naval blockade on the waterway.
In a statement carried by its official news outlet Sepah News, the IGRC said that the move came after the United States violated its commitments under the two-week ceasefire, which took effect on April 8, and failed to end its naval blockade against Iranian vessels and ports.
The IRGC Navy called on all vessels and their owners to follow official updates via its channel and VHF Channel 16, the international maritime distress, safety, and calling frequency. The statements by U.S. President Donald Trump hold no credibility in the strait and the Gulf, it added.
The IRGC warned that no vessel should move from its anchorage in the Gulf or the Gulf of Oman, and any approach to the strait would be deemed "cooperation with the enemy" and targeted accordingly.
Tehran's political leadership echoed the IRGC's firm position. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf asserted that the Strait of Hormuz is under Iran's control, revealing that during previous negotiations, Iran had firmly countered U.S. attempts to carry out minesweeping operations, which Tehran viewed as a ceasefire violation.
He said the situation had come close to conflict, but the U.S. had eventually backed off.
Calling the U.S. maritime blockade "reckless and ignorant," Ghalibaf warned that passage through the strait would certainly be restricted if Washington does not lift the blockade.
Underpinning these public announcements, Iran's Supreme National Security Council on Saturday affirmed the country's resolve to exercise control and supervision over traffic through the Strait of Hormuz until the war is definitively ended and lasting peace is achieved in the region.
For its part, the United States pressed ahead with its own military measures.
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement on Saturday that the U.S. military is imposing a maritime blockade on ships entering and exiting Iranian ports and nearby coastal areas. Since the blockade began on April 13, 23 ships have complied with U.S. directions to turn around.
Meanwhile, the U.S. military is preparing in the coming days to board Iran-linked oil tankers and seize commercial ships in international waters, The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday, citing U.S. officials.
The move will enable the U.S. to take control of Iran-linked vessels around the world, including ships carrying Iranian oil that are already sailing outside the Persian Gulf and those carrying arms that could support Tehran, the report said.
Iran's IRGC says Strait of Hormuz blocked, demands end to US naval blockade
