Staff members prepare the DHL booth in the service trade exhibition area during the ninth China International Import Expo in Shanghai on Nov 4. CHEN HAOMING/XINHUA

The fast-evolving Chinese market and active overseas expansion of Chinese companies are consistently offering tremendous opportunities for global services providers, business leaders said during the ninth China International Import Expo in Shanghai.

Having participated in the expo for all nine of its editions, Marriott International has seen rapid growth in the Chinese market, driven by the nation's robust travel sector. As of the end of September, the company had opened more than 100 new hotels in China this year, up more than 30 percent year-on-year with an average of 2.6 hotels opening each week. By the end of November, it will reach another milestone with the opening of its 800th hotel in China.

Mao Yibing, president of Marriott International Greater China, said China continues to advance high-level opening-up, and its tourism consumption remains robust.

A staff member introduces the D&B FinHub financial intelligence platform at the Dun & Bradstreet booth in the service trade exhibition area during the CIIE on Nov 6. LIU MENGQI/XINHUA

Inbound tourism, as well as diversified and experiential travel, continue to generate new demand, providing international hotel groups with long-term growth opportunities as they deepen their presence in the Chinese market.

"Chinese consumers' expectations for travel have gone beyond simply reaching their destination; they place greater emphasis on experiences, connections and exploration. Business travel, family vacations, cultural exploration, and sports and entertainment are emerging as key areas of demand in the travel sector," said Mao.

The Project Management Institute made its CIIE debut as an exhibitor this year. The organization has been introducing global project management standards, certifications and knowledge to the Chinese market for over 18 years. As of August 2026, the institute had more than 1.96 million certification holders globally, including more than 700,000 in the Chinese mainland.

An exhibitor from Ethiopia dances with a performer from Guizhou province at the expo on Monday. CAO MENGYAO/XINHUA

Miranda Wang, managing director of PMI China, said that as artificial intelligence, globalization and sustainability reshape how businesses operate and compete, project management is moving from an execution discipline toward a strategic organizational capability. PMI is looking to further leverage its expertise in project management to support Chinese organizations in innovation, global expansion and sustainable transformation.

"China generates rich project experience from its fast-changing business environment. We want to create a broader conversation around how organizations can strengthen the capabilities needed to manage transformation," said Wang.

Fast-evolving industries in China are also drawing exhibition companies to the CIIE to expand their partnerships.

Staff members arrange displays at the YTO booth in the service trade exhibition area of the expo. CHINA DAILY

Romain Peiffert, CEO of GL events Greater China, said an increasing number of Chinese companies are expecting to expand overseas, while the vast Chinese market is continuously attracting global firms at the same time.

"We are the bridge," said Peiffert. "China's economy is developing toward high-tech, high-quality, with high added-value. We can see this in our industries, and we definitely still have a strong appetite in China to grow and expand."

The NuernbergMesse Group from Germany, a first-time CIIE exhibitor, shared similar sentiments. Celebrating 20 years of being a "bridge-builder" between China and the world, it values the "planning security combined with dynamic industries" in the Chinese market.

Peter Ottmann, CEO of the group, stressed that China, especially Shanghai, would always be the starting point of its success story. "What we always can learn from China is how curious the people here are for new developments, and how open minded they are to ask questions," he said.

Captain Panda, mascot of COSCO Shipping, greets visitors in front of its booth at the expo. CHINA DAILY

Darren Guo, managing director of NuernbergMesse China, added: "Nothing is happening accidentally in China. There is a clear pathway or road map for the coming years, which is very valuable for us as an exhibition organizer."

With an increasing number of Chinese companies speeding up their global expansion in recent years, the vast opportunities offered by China have also been extended beyond the nation in sectors such as logistics, consultancy and financial services.

DSV, a leading global transport and logistics company, remains committed to supporting Chinese businesses' efforts to put down roots in international markets through its extensive global air, sea, road freight networks, advanced warehousing capabilities and customized supply chain solutions.

Robin Song, senior director of commercial at DSV China, said they are seeing more Chinese companies with innovative capabilities and global competitiveness accelerating their expansion into the global market.

"To better support their expansion, we have built special teams focusing on key sectors including semiconductors, batteries, photovoltaics, energy storage, automotive, e-commerce, home appliances and consumer electronics, aerospace, and healthcare," said Song.

Jiang Ying, chair of Deloitte China, said two-way investment and cooperation are offering even more opportunities. As domestic firms are encouraged to go global and make overseas investments to proactively shape the global layout of industrial chains, the company expects to help bridge Chinese companies with global markets, with the focus on key areas such as corporate globalization, AI-driven industrial empowerment and green transition.

Zhou Xing, vice chair and public affairs leader of PwC China, said as multinational companies establish and upgrade their capabilities in China, and Chinese companies leverage their proven capabilities overseas and share opportunities with global partners, the synergy between these two trends is creating incremental global value.

As more Chinese companies with innovative capabilities expand overseas, cross-border operations require more diverse solutions to support financial services, which creates significant opportunities for global banks like Standard Chartered.

Leveraging its business network spanning 55 markets worldwide, which aligns with much of the Belt and Road Initiative, the bank is set to continue integrating its expertise in financing, compliance, treasury management, cross-border fund allocation and risk hedging, to help Chinese companies reduce the costs of cross-border transactions and steadily expand into overseas markets.

"As a CIIE exhibitor for nine consecutive years, we will also continue to play the role of a 'super connector', facilitating cross-border economic and trade flows, expanding the use of the renminbi in international trade, and promoting the two-way flow of industries, capital and innovation," said Jean Lu, CEO of Standard Chartered China.

Official data showed that China's trade in services totaled 8.08 trillion yuan ($1.18 trillion) in 2025, up 7.4 percent year-on-year, and its services imports recorded 4.46 trillion yuan, increasing 2.5 percent year-on-year.

编辑：王瑜