The ongoing 2025 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) on Friday released 60 service demonstration cases covering nine major fields including AI and green innovation, at an event attended by nearly 200 guests from 33 countries and international organizations.
At the release event, five demonstration cases of service trade standardization were released for the first time, showcasing the innovative development achievements of Chinese enterprises in the field.
Nine demonstration cases of service consumption were released for the first time, highlighting diverse service consumption scenarios.
After the launch ceremony, a business matchmaking event was held, where guests from various countries had on-site negotiations with the persons in charge of the enterprises involved in the cases, facilitating economic and trade cooperation among different parties.
"I've seen cases that are really amazing in terms of green development as well. I want to deal with them, so it's amazing how this one is developed," said Ammar Awachi, CEO of Taha International for Industrial Services, headquartered in Bahrain.
The theme of this year's CIFTIS is "Embrace Intelligent Technologies, Empower Trade in Services." With the participation of 85 countries and international organizations, along with nearly 2,000 companies exhibiting on-site, the event lasts for five days until Sept 14.
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 releases 60 service demonstration cases
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
