CIIF 2026 in Review: Key Facts from the China International Industry Fair

CIIF stands for China International Industry Fair (中国国际工业博览会), an industrial exhibition held in Shanghai, China. Our 26th edition took place on October 12–16, 2026, at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), bringing industrial technologies, business exchange, forums and awards together across ten theme shows.

Under the theme “Smart Economy, Boundless Manufacturing,” CIIF 2026 covered 311,600 square meters and brought together 3,247 exhibitors from 24 countries and regions. It offered a broad view of manufacturing, from materials and components to machinery, automation, robotics and integrated production systems.

CIIF 2026 at a glance

The attendance figures count visits, not unique individuals, and reflect the reporting point of October 16 at 14:00 rather than a final closing total. Our official closing report provides the event summary behind these figures.

Exhibitors and professional visitors from around the world

International participation was visible on both sides of the exhibition: exhibitors presenting technologies and professional visitors exploring industrial developments. The 3,247 exhibitors represented 24 countries and regions, while visitors came from 170 countries and regions at the attendance reporting point.

Within the 255,600 trade visits recorded by October 16 at 14:00, overseas visits accounted for 21,500. The ten leading overseas visitor origins were South Korea, Russia, Thailand, Japan, Germany, Malaysia, Brazil, Canada, Turkey and Singapore.

These figures describe different parts of participation. Exhibitor counts represent organizations exhibiting at the fair; trade visits capture attendance activity. Together, they show the international reach of the 2026 event without treating repeat attendance as additional individual visitors.

Ten theme shows across the manufacturing value chain

The ten theme shows gave CIIF 2026 its breadth. Each focused on a distinct part of industry, while all formed part of the same Shanghai exhibition. The following overview summarizes their technical scope.

• Metalworking and CNC Machine Tool Show (MWCS): Metal cutting, laser processing, sheet-metal working, additive manufacturing, machine-tool accessories and related production technologies.

• Industrial Automation Show (IAS): Industrial automation products, technologies and system solutions for manufacturing.

• Robotics Show (RS): Robot technologies and applications across industrial and service settings.

• Energy Show (ES): Clean energy, new energy and green intelligent energy solutions, including storage and grid technologies.

• Advanced Intelligent Manufacturing Show (AIMS): Industrial internet, industrial AI, software, data and connected manufacturing applications.

• Future Transportation Industry Show (FTIS): Intelligent connected vehicles, low-altitude mobility, new energy and related components.

• Green Low-Carbon Show (GLCS): Industrial energy-use equipment management, maintenance and upgrades, with a focus on low-carbon factories and parks.

• New Material Industry Show (NMIS): Materials and process technologies for applications in energy, transportation, advanced manufacturing and other industries.

• Scientific & Technological Innovation Show (STIS): Research and technological achievements from universities, research institutions and enterprise R&D, with an emphasis on industrial applications.

• IC Ecosystem Show (ICES): The integrated-circuit ecosystem and its connections with industrial applications.

This structure made it possible to view related technologies within one event. Machinery, automation and robotics addressed connected parts of production, while energy, materials and research broadened the view beyond individual equipment. The theme shows provided specialist depth within CIIF’s overall industrial scope.

Technology displays and industrial exchange

More than 1,000 new technologies and products debuted at CIIF 2026. The exhibition combined these introductions with opportunities for technical discussion and business exchange across the theme shows.

A central focus of the edition was the connection between industrial software, intelligent machines and production systems. This focus placed individual technologies in a practical context: how equipment, data and applications work together within production. It also connects the fair’s range of exhibits with the questions manufacturers face when integrating technologies across a factory.

Exhibition and trade are two of CIIF’s established functions. The 2026 program brought technology presentation and professional exchange into the same setting, alongside forums and awards. Its role extended from showing individual products to creating opportunities for conversations between technology providers and industrial users.

Forums and awards alongside the exhibition

CIIF 2026 included 12 keynote industry forums and 225 concurrent events, with 21 domestic and international academicians contributing insights during exhibition events. These activities added industry discussion to the technologies displayed on the exhibition floor. Our pre-event CIIF 2026 forum guide outlines the topics and intended audiences of selected sessions.

The awards program recognized industrial innovation through 10 CIIF Awards, one CIIF Special Organizing Committee Award and 12 CIIF Professional Awards. These totals distinguish the CIIF Awards, the special organizing committee award and the professional awards.

Together, the displays, exchanges, forums and awards show the different ways participants engaged with CIIF 2026: presenting technologies, discussing industrial needs, exchanging knowledge and recognizing innovation. This combination is central to understanding what kind of industrial fair CIIF is.

For background on the exhibition’s identity and how its name relates to its specialist shows, read What Is CIIF? The China International Industry Fair in Shanghai.

Frequently asked questions

What is the China International Industry Fair (CIIF)?

CIIF is the English abbreviation for China International Industry Fair (中国国际工业博览会), an industrial exhibition held in Shanghai, China. It brings together manufacturing equipment, automation, robotics, materials, energy and related industrial technologies. The fair combines exhibitions, trade, forums and awards; its 2026 edition comprised ten theme shows at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai).

What was CIIF 2026 like?

CIIF 2026 was a five-day industrial exhibition held on October 12–16 in Shanghai, covering 311,600 square meters with 3,247 exhibitors from 24 countries and regions. It included ten theme shows, more than 1,000 technology and product debuts, 12 keynote industry forums, 225 concurrent events and an awards program. As of October 16 at 14:00, attendance stood at 255,600 trade visits, including 21,500 overseas visits. These figures represent visits rather than unique visitors and are not final closing totals.

When and where was CIIF 2026 held?

The 26th China International Industry Fair took place from October 12 to 16, 2026, at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), China. The five-day event has concluded.

Who participated in CIIF 2026?

CIIF 2026 brought together 3,247 exhibitors from 24 countries and regions. Visitors came from 170 countries and regions. As of October 16 at 14:00, the event had recorded 255,600 trade visits, including 21,500 overseas visits. These attendance figures count visits, not unique individuals.

What industries and technologies did CIIF 2026 cover?

The ten theme shows covered metalworking and machine tools, industrial automation, robotics, energy, intelligent manufacturing, future transportation, green and low-carbon technologies, new materials, scientific and technological innovation, and the integrated-circuit ecosystem. Together, they connected materials and components with equipment, software and production systems.

Were the ten theme shows part of the same CIIF event?

Yes. The ten theme shows were specialist sections of the China International Industry Fair, held within the same CIIF 2026 event in Shanghai. Each focused on a different industrial field, allowing participants to explore both individual technologies and their connections across manufacturing.

Did CIIF 2026 include forums and awards?

Yes. Alongside the exhibition, CIIF 2026 included 12 keynote industry forums and 225 concurrent events. Its awards program presented 10 CIIF Awards, one CIIF Special Organizing Committee Award and 12 CIIF Professional Awards, combining industry discussion with recognition of industrial innovation.

When will CIIF 2027 take place?

CIIF 2027 is scheduled for September 20–24, 2027, at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), China.