The "Golden Key" statue before the Xiamen International Expo Center. [Photo/Xiamen Daily]

The 26th China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) is set to open in Xiamen, Fujian province, from Sept 8 to 11, with most preparations complete.

This year, the fair will debut at Xiamen International Expo Center, with exhibition space growing from 120,000 to 200,000 square meters.

The event will feature 14 specialized zones across three core themes: "Invest in China", "China Investment", and "International Investment". Investment forums and project pitch sessions will run alongside the fair. Multiple public goods and professional reports will be released. Over 2,600 prominent business figures have already confirmed their attendance.

This year's fair breaks new ground by naming two guest countries of honor — Finland and Saudi Arabia — and two guest provinces of honor — Guangdong and Qinghai, both firsts for the event.

More than 40 key investment promotion events are planned, alongside nearly 100 smaller-scale activities such as capital matching sessions. Nearly 20 investment seminars will also be held.

This photo taken on Sept 8, 2025 shows a scene at the 25th CIFIT in Xiamen. [Photo provided to swj.xm.gov.cn]

The "Online CIFIT" platform has been upgraded to bring together investment projects, financing opportunities, and industrial capital.

Designated areas have been set up within the venue for public pitch sessions and capital-project matchmaking. The Fujian pavilion, in particular, has expanded to 3,700 square meters and will feature dedicated zones for the province's investment environment, the "Silk Road Maritime" initiative, and development zones.

A smart event management system has been further upgraded with new features including intelligent navigation, seat lookup, and seamless cross-zone access, offering one-stop convenience for participants.

The fair will host the "Gulangyu Night" event, alongside ICH performances of Nanyin Music and Gaojia Opera during breaks throughout the event. These cultural elements offer guests a taste of Fujian's rich traditions and its open, welcoming character.

Xiamen is one of the most economically competitive cities in China and was one of the first Special Economic Zones on the Chinese mainland. As a vice-provincial city independently listed on the State development plan, it has provincial-level authority in economic administration and local legislative power. In 2010, the Xiamen SEZ was expanded to cover the entire municipality. Today, Xiamen is a modern and international port city.