China's 2026 Supply Chain Expo to debut dedicated AI zone

Beijing is gearing up to host its annual supply chain expo in late June, aiming to promote a more open economy while connecting more businesses from home and abroad.

The fourth China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE), to be held from June 22 to 26, will have Australia as the guest country of honor, marking its first official national participation, officials from the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) said at a press conference on Friday.

The expo will also feature guest provinces from abroad, including France's Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region and Italy's Liguria region, as well as domestic guest provinces Anhui and Hainan. 

The event, themed "Connecting the World for a Shared Future," will be held at the China International Exhibition Center in Beijing's Shunyi District. 

AI and innovation

A major highlight this year is the introduction of a dedicated artificial intelligence (AI) zone, a first for the expo. The new zone will present the full spectrum of AI development, from data collection and computing infrastructure to real-world applications, illustrating how AI is transforming supply chains across various industries.

Innovation remains a core focus, with the expo adopting a "four-chain integration" model. This approach merges the innovation, industrial, capital, and talent chains into a cohesive platform, fostering collaboration among researchers, businesses, investors, and skilled professionals. Attendees can expect over 160 product debuts, all emphasizing the cultivation of new quality productive forces and the future of supply chain technology.

Global cooperation

The expo has attracted significant international interest. Organizations such as the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) will host displays. Over 670 companies have signed up, with more than a third from overseas, including tech giants like Nvidia, Intel and Qualcomm. This broad participation underscores the expo's growing reputation as a global platform for supply chain cooperation.

The event is particularly timely as 2026 marks the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) "China Year." The APEC Business Leaders' China Forum will be held just before the expo opens, adding a layer of high-level dialogue on regional economic integration. Against the backdrop of structural volatility and a sluggish economic recovery, the upcoming expo demonstrates China's commitment to stabilizing global supply chains and promoting international cooperation. It also highlights the country's role in driving innovation and sustainability in the supply chain sector.