Operated by Uzbekistan Airways, the new route is the first direct passenger air service between Shenzhen and Central Asia, and also the airport’s first newly launched international route of 2026. According to the airport, the service will run once a week on Mondays. Flights depart Tashkent at 1:20 a.m. local time and arrive in Shenzhen at 7:40 a.m. Beijing time, while outbound flights leave Shenzhen at 9:10 a.m. Beijing time and land in Tashkent at 4:20 p.m. local time.

The launch comes as China and Uzbekistan continue to deepen cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, especially in areas such as trade, investment, energy, infrastructure, and people-to-people exchanges. For companies in southern China, the new route provides a more direct air corridor into the Central Asian market, potentially improving business mobility and reducing travel friction for commercial engagement.

Airport authorities said the new service is expected to support both cross-border travel and stronger business links. For Shenzhen-based companies looking to expand their regional footprint, the Tashkent connection may serve as a practical gateway for exploring opportunities in Uzbekistan and the wider Central Asia region.

With the addition of the Tashkent route, Shenzhen Airport now connects to 42 cities in 23 Belt and Road partner countries, underscoring the city’s growing role in international aviation and regional business connectivity.

Event Highlights and China’s Pharmaceutical Strengths

The 2026 edition will feature expanded zones, including pavilions for Traditional Chinese Medicine and showcases for next-generation active pharmaceutical ingredients, underscoring China’s dual strengths in heritage ingredients and advanced pharmaceutical advancements. New exhibitors and specialized areas for medical aesthetic packaging, frontier technologies, and smart lab spaces will be introduced, enhancing the event’s comprehensive offerings. These additions align with China’s push for innovation and modernization in its pharmaceutical sector, which has seen rapid growth in recent years.

Attendees will have access to Asia’s largest concentration of pharmaceutical machinery manufacturers and cutting-edge production technologies. Live equipment demonstrations, technical seminars, and networking programs, such as the Hosted Buyer Matchmaking Program and plant visits, are designed to facilitate direct connections between international buyers and leading suppliers. These activities support China’s role as a global hub for pharmaceutical building blocks, including APIs, natural extracts, machinery, laboratory instruments, packaging, biotech, and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Educational and Networking Opportunities

More than 100 conferences and workshops, led by over 700 experts and officials, will provide attendees with market intelligence and technical expertise. These sessions focus on rapid innovation areas, such as investigational drugs, biotech, and machinery developments, positioning participants at the forefront of industry trends. The event’s growth mirrors the pace of innovation in China, solidifying its reputation as a destination for sourcing, supply chain optimization, and strategic partnerships in the pharmaceutical field.

The event’s scale and scope highlight China’s pharmaceutical powerhouse status, offering unparalleled opportunities for global engagement. With its focus on both traditional and modern pharmaceutical elements, CPHI & PMEC China 2026 aims to support the resilience and forward-looking vision of the industry, contributing to China’s economic and trade dynamics in the global market.

Record-Breaking Foot Traffic and Order Surge

Visitor statistics from Yiwu China Commodities City indicated that offline foot traffic on reopening day reached a record high, marking the strongest Spring Festival opening performance on record. Buyers from Dubai, Southeast Asia, Europe, and Africa converged on the market, with one Dubai-based buyer reporting orders for 30 containers to be shipped to Middle Eastern countries. This activity underscored Yiwu’s role as a global sourcing center, with merchants coordinating factory schedules to meet demand.

Digital Engagement and New Product Launches

Online engagement mirrored the offline surge, with Chinagoods (the market’s official digital platform) livestreaming the reopening and attracting over 3.879 million cumulative views. Buyers used the platform to browse products, request quotations, and place orders digitally, supporting global sourcing without physical travel. More than 30,000 new SKUs were uploaded on reopening day, including Year of the Horse-themed merchandise, fashion accessories, smart home products, and daily consumer goods, reflecting merchants’ efforts to refine product portfolios during the holiday.

AI Integration and Economic Context

Yiwu’s AI large-model system saw increased usage across 14 application scenarios, such as AI-assisted product design and AI-generated content for e-commerce, strengthening the market’s digital trade capabilities. With 2026 as the opening year of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan period, Yiwu is positioning itself as both a domestic consumption hub and a global sourcing center, leveraging these technologies to advance global supply integration. Merchants also reported strong first-day sales, including one toy merchant at the Global Digital Trade Center securing orders exceeding RMB 1 million, signaling sustained demand from long-term clients.

Exhibition Scale and Participation

More than 1,200 textile and apparel enterprises and 19 major industrial clusters from across China will participate, showcasing over 100 product categories and 200,000 new styles. The event aims to spotlight China’s intimate apparel industry, attracting buyers and designers from over 40 countries and regions. Group visits have been organized by over a thousand lingerie chain enterprises and e-commerce organizations, reinforcing the exhibition’s role in connecting global sourcing resources.

Product and Industry Focus

The exhibition will present a full intimate apparel product matrix, including bras, panties, loungewear, thermal underwear, shapewear, sports and yoga apparel, swimwear, children’s wear, socks, sun protection garments, plus upstream categories such as yarns, fabrics, and trims. This structure supports one-stop sourcing for professional buyers and showcases a complete ecosystem—from raw materials and manufacturing to brand operations and distribution channels.

Industrial Clusters and Ecosystem

As an early-year flagship for China’s intimate apparel sector, the exhibition links with 19 industrial clusters nationwide, including Shantou, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Dongguan, Yanbu, Xiaolan, Puning, Jinjiang, Yiwu, Dongyang, Qingdao, Changle, Keqiao, Huludao, Anyang, Zhuji, Guanyun, Cangnan, and Suning. This network covers the full industrial chain, including design and R&D, smart manufacturing, brand operations, and channel distribution.

Events and Forums

More than 50 events will run alongside the exhibition, including an opening ceremony, brand shows, the New Quality Development Conference for the Undergarment Industry, the Young Entrepreneurs Forum, China Home Fashion Culture Week, China Underwear Culture Festival, and industrial belt study tours. The agenda also includes 50+ brand presentations and a brand gala. Three major trade matchmaking sessions will focus on cross-border trade, brand chain operations, and new-channel e-commerce, addressing sourcing, pricing, and production capacity needs. In addition, 12 industry forums will cover artificial intelligence, trend R&D, e-commerce ecosystems, and sustainable development, featuring industry experts and brand leaders.

Partnerships and Marketing

The exhibition will collaborate with major platforms, including Douyin, JD.com, Poizon, Xiaohongshu, Taobao, Taobao Live, Tmall, SHEIN, and TikTok to combine offline exhibitions with livestream commerce, creating exhibition-broadcast synergy through daytime showcases and nighttime livestreams.

Focus on Safety and Functionality

The showcase emphasizes safety, functionality, and long-term performance, with building and furniture products designed for everyday spaces such as kitchens and storage areas, adapting to evolving user needs.

Innovations in Water Systems and Smart Furniture

Featured solutions include integrated kitchen faucet systems combining filtered water and regular water functions, with independent water channels and multi-layer filtration. The furniture side highlights smart storage features oriented toward hygiene, environmental control, and adaptable lighting, especially for wardrobes and dressing areas.

Advances in Building Materials

The building materials segment includes large-format, ultra-thin surface materials designed for strength and flexibility, expanding into customized home furnishings such as cabinetry and wall panels with multiple finish options.

Enhanced Sourcing Capabilities

The platform’s Sourcing Request function enables international buyers to submit detailed requirements so relevant suppliers can respond directly, improving precision sourcing and responsiveness in cross-border trade.

Event Scale and Industry Focus

The fair will cover 170,000 square meters across multiple halls, with nearly 3,100 exhibitors presenting products across the hardware supply chain. Key sectors on display include power tools, hand tools, abrasives, welding materials, safety gear, and building hardware. The event aims to connect global buyers with cutting-edge solutions, emphasizing trends such as intelligent manufacturing and sustainable development in line with China’s economic policies.

Innovation and Sustainability Highlights

Exhibitors from China and internationally will showcase innovations in areas like cordless tools and eco-friendly materials, reflecting the industry’s shift toward sustainability. This aligns with China’s broader goals, including its carbon neutrality target by 2060. The fair will also feature OEM/ODM customization services, catering to the growing demand for tailored hardware solutions in global markets.

Logistics and Accessibility

Located in Shanghai, the venue offers easy access via high-speed rail and metro networks, with numerous business hotels nearby. Visitors from dozens of countries can benefit from visa-free entry or transit policies, facilitating international participation. The event is designed to streamline product discovery and supplier sourcing for professionals in the hardware industry.

If you plan to attend the 39th China International Hardware Fair (CIHF) 2026, consider pre-registering before the show. Pre-registration can help you prepare your visit and follow event updates through the official channels.

Growth Drivers and Market Trends

Key factors propelling China-Europe rail freight transport market growth include a shift toward higher-value cargo such as electronics, automotive components, and fashion items, driven by cross-border e-commerce and just-in-time inventory strategies. This diversification enhances revenue per container and strengthens the market’s role in premium cargo categories. Additionally, route diversification, particularly through the development of the Middle Corridor, is reducing dependence on traditional paths and mitigating geopolitical risks, thereby supporting market stability and expansion.

Digital integration is another critical driver, with digital freight platforms improving visibility and documentation efficiency. Innovations like online booking systems, predictive maintenance tools, and automated customs clearance processes are reducing delays and enhancing transparency. Blockchain pilots and IoT-enabled monitoring for temperature-sensitive goods further bolster reliability, influencing China-Europe rail freight transport market trends by boosting customer confidence and operational efficiency.

Challenges and Constraints

Despite positive momentum, the market faces challenges such as border infrastructure constraints, with key junctions operating near capacity during peak seasons, leading to increased dwell times. Break-of-gauge operations between different rail standards add complexity, while geopolitical tensions and regulatory checks can create route uncertainty. These factors may impact short-term growth, although long-term fundamentals remain favorable due to the market’s strategic location across Eurasian trade corridors.

The China-Europe rail freight transport market forecast remains optimistic, with sustained expansion expected over the coming years. The industry’s ability to balance speed, cost, and reliability ensures its integral role in cross-continental logistics strategies. As the market continues to expand its geographic reach and service depth, it is poised to maintain a strong position within global trade networks, supported by rising trade integration and enhanced customs efficiency.

Strategic focus on industrial integration

Huang Kunming emphasized that promoting coordinated development between manufacturing and services is crucial for industrial upgrading in Guangdong. As a major manufacturing base and services hub, the province seeks to transition from a large industrial province to a strong one by deepening integration between these sectors. This approach aims to build a modern industrial system where industries reinforce each other, leveraging digital and intelligent technologies, data resources, and diverse application scenarios to seize new opportunities.

Policy measures and enterprise support

The province plans to strengthen the real economy with a focus on manufacturing, while advancing high-quality development in the services sector. Efforts will include using AI technologies to enhance coordination, aiming to boost Guangdong’s competitiveness in advanced manufacturing + modern services. Support will be provided to micro-level market entities, ecosystem-oriented leading enterprises, and pioneer enterprises to foster growth into specialized firms and industry champions. Hub platform enterprises will be nurtured to drive broader coordination, with initiatives for joint research in common technologies and innovation in organizational models to address shared needs across industries.

Talent and international engagement

Guangdong will advance the development of a high-level talent hub in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, implementing the Action Plan to Introduce 1 Million Talents to build an interdisciplinary workforce. To maintain leadership in coordinated development, the province will expand opening-up, accelerate the aggregation of global manufacturing and services resources, and strengthen the Guangdong Manufacturing and Guangdong Services brands. This strategy aims to attract high-quality international resources and support global expansion with high standards.

During the conference, Ke Jixin, vice minister of Industry and Information Technology, provided input on Guangdong’s work, while officials from cities, counties, and enterprises outlined localized plans for coordinated development and modern industrial system construction. These discussions highlighted tailored goals, tasks, and policy measures to support the province’s industrial strategy.

Industry-Focused Approach and Key Sectors

The promotion conference will adopt a targeted, industry-focused approach, reflecting evolving sourcing needs and consumption trends in the South Korean market. It will build on established demand in sectors such as Electronics & Appliances, Building & Furniture, and Health & Recreation products. Special exhibition zones, including service robots and intelligent healthcare, will be highlighted, aligning with broader industrial and lifestyle shifts in the region.

Multi-City Format and Buyer Engagement

The conference will follow a structured, multi-city format, centered in Seoul and extending to key commercial hubs like Busan and Incheon. This approach combines in-person conferences with online engagement to reach buyers with diverse profiles and sourcing objectives. It is designed to improve the efficiency and precision of participation planning for South Korean attendees.

Enhanced Digital and Smart Services

Enhancing buyer experience will be a central theme, with the delegation introducing the Canton Fair’s upgraded smart services. These include digital booth-level navigation, intelligent trade matching, and tools supporting the full participation cycle—from pre-fair preparation to on-site sourcing and post-fair follow-up. These features aim to help international buyers engage more effectively with exhibitors and product categories, reflecting China’s digital innovation in trade platforms.

Expanding Cooperation and Partnerships

In parallel, the delegation will seek to expand cooperation at multiple levels, engaging with leading South Korean retail companies and partnering with business organizations to connect with high-quality small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This effort is part of the Canton Fair’s international outreach, focused on improving buyer access and supporting long-term participation across successive sessions of the fair.

Support for SMEs and Global Expansion

The budget includes initiatives such as injecting HK$200 million into the BUD Fund to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and facilitate economic transformation. The HKTDC plans to leverage its network of 51 offices worldwide to assist businesses in exploring international markets, including ASEAN and Middle Eastern regions, and to enhance Hong Kong’s role in the Belt and Road Initiative. This effort is part of broader strategies to diversify risks and promote sustainable growth for Hong Kong and mainland enterprises.

Innovation and Technology Focus

Measures in the budget promote Hong Kong’s development as an international I&T hub. The HKTDC will integrate innovation and technology (I&T) elements into its events, such as exhibitions and conferences, to showcase Hong Kong’s strengths and foster cross-industry collaboration. InnoEX, a flagship event under the Business of Innovation and Technology Week, will highlight cutting-edge technologies and support technology commercialisation. These actions aim to protect innovation outcomes and boost competitiveness in global markets.

Financial and Trade Enhancements

The budget notes the upcoming 20th anniversary of the Asian Financial Forum (AFF), with plans to strengthen its focus on finance empowering business through initiatives like the Global Business Summit. This is intended to help the financial sector better serve the real economy and competitive industries. The HKTDC will continue to use its platforms, including business matching and professional services, to support international expansion, leveraging Hong Kong’s unique advantages as a global business hub connecting the Chinese mainland and worldwide markets.