CIFTIS promotes international business cooperation, cross cultural exchanges: foreign exhibitors

Foreign participants of the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) have lauded the exhibition as an important platform to promote global business cooperation and cross cultural exchanges.

Business representatives from Georgia, Rwanda and Morocco have presented star products from their own countries at the 10th Colorful World exhibition, a sub event of CIFTIS that runs from Wednesday through Sunday at Shougang Park in Beijing, one of the main venues of the ongoing 2025 CIFTIS.

"We have a millennia-long, unbroken history and tradition of winemaking, along with our own unique grape varieties. We also possess our own distinct winemaking techniques. Such exceptional products simply must be brought to China and introduced to Chinese consumers and our client partners. That is why we have participated in CIFTIS for seven consecutive years," said Levin, a business representative from Georgia.

At the Rwanda Embassy in China exhibition booth, representatives from various companies are showcasing Rwandan coffee, jewelry, and handicrafts.

"Our coffee is handpicked and hand-roasted, and all these, they make our coffee special compared to coffee from other places. So far, we are getting a positive feedback from the customers and people at this exhibition. So to me, it's a big platform. You can also see that there are many countries involved in this. I've seen many countries from my continent, from Africa," said Fonda, a Rwandan business representative.

At the exhibition booth of the Moroccan Embassy in China, exquisite Moroccan silverware and handmade products are on display. Minister Counsellor Moulay Zaine El Moussaoui, who is participating in the CIFTIS for the third time as a diplomat, said Morocco highly values this platform.

"So every year we make sure that we take part in this very important international activity to showcase Moroccan culture and heritage, and to contribute to the strengthening of good relations between the People's Republic of China and the Kingdom of Morocco. We in Morocco, we believe that promoting cooperation with China, promoting cultural cooperation, promoting people-to-people connectivity, is of extreme importance. That's why we make sure every year to contribute to this very important exhibition. So for sure we will be here next year," said the diplomat.

The 2025 CIFTIS opened in Beijing on Wednesday with the theme "Embrace Intelligent Technologies, Empower Trade in Services". The event runs 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.

CIFTIS promotes international business cooperation, cross cultural exchanges: foreign exhibitors

A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.

Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.

In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.

"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.

Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.

In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.

"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.

By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.

After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.

"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.

Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.

As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.

Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media