The 2024 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) opened in Beijing on September 12th, marking the first major international exhibition hosted by China following the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. Over 450 Fortune Global 500 companies and industry leaders have come to showcase their presence through their booths. Under the theme "Global Services, Shared Prosperity," this year's CIFTIS continues its mission to establish itself as the world's most influential event for trade in services, injecting fresh dynamism into the global economic landscape.

Under the clear autumn sky, Shougang Park once again welcomed this momentous occasion by hosting special exhibitions at CIFTIS. Highlighting industrial hotspots and emerging trends, the nine special exhibitions cover environmental services; telecommunications, computer, and information services; financial services; healthcare services; education services; sports services; cultural and tourism services; supply chain and business services; and engineering consultation and architectural services respectively. Focusing on the cultivation of new quality productive forces and leveraging clustered and chain-like organization, the exhibitions pool premium service trade resources and showcase the latest advancements in digitalization, intelligence, and green development, effectively establishing Shougang Park as the "premiere site" for the global service trade sector.

At the Special Exhibition on Environmental Services, the Shougang Group stands prominently among Fortune Global 500 companies, COEs and SOEs, and leading players in green and low-carbon development. Stepping into Shougang's booth, one is greeted by a white and spacious ambiance with an elegant and comfortable aesthetic. Under the theme "Driving technology innovation to become the first competitiveness and leading green, low carbon, and high-quality development", the booth consists of sections dedicated to Shougang's green and low-carbon development, the steel and iron unit's four carbonization reduction pathways, and Shougang Park's green and low-carbon transformation, as well as pioneering processes, technologies, and products representative of Shougang's green and low-carbon focus. The comprehensive display effectively showcases Shougang's innovative achievements and milestones in the green and low-carbon realm.

At the center of the booth, amidst verdant foliage, the inscription "Prioritizing the Ecology and Embracing Green and Low-Carbon Practices" is displayed in eight Chinese characters, reflecting Shougang's unwavering commitment to comprehensive green and low-carbon transformation. Behind this declaration of confidence, a giant screen plays videos that chronicle Shougang's journey of actively exploring and implementing green transformation toward high-quality development. Above the booth, the Shougang logo "SG" is artistically transformed into the shape of a "satellite" adorned with "white clouds floating in a blue sky," symbolizing the pursuit of "lucid waters and lush mountains."

Shougang consistently upholds and embodies the principle that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets." With a focus on comprehensive green and low-carbon transformation, the group is actively nurturing new quality productive forces powered by green and low-carbon technologies, accelerating the development of Shougang scenarios representative of Chinese-style modernization, and contributing its strength to comprehensive advancement in constructing a beautiful China.

Visitors marvel at the world's first 10 mt/a low-carbon steel material manufacturing process; the world's first efficient recycling system integrating the five effects of "combustion, heat, electricity, water, and salt"; the world's first sintering compound flue gas circulation process with zero emissions from the annular cooler; the world's first commercialized demonstration line for the application of carbon dioxide in steelmaking; conversion of industrial tail gas to fuel ethanol and protein; urban solid waste resource utilization and disposal... If these technical terms are dazzlingly complex, you can walk outside the exhibition hall and look back at Shougang's Blast Furnace #4 which has been completely renovated and is itself the "largest exhibit" at this CIFTIS.

The transformation and upgrade of Blast Furnace #4 is not merely a renovation but a testament to green development and the crystallization of advanced technology. As a new highlight in the sustainable utilization of industrial heritage serving urban exhibition functions, the nearly 1,000 m2 of photovoltaic panels on the furnace conserve significant energy while enhancing the aesthetics. The rainwater regulation and storage pond on the southeast side of the exhibition hall effectively alleviates the drainage needs of the exhibition area, and the collected rainwater can be used for green space irrigation, reducing water costs. The outdoor glasses-free 3D screen adopts low-power, high-energy-efficiency display technology in line with the principles of energy conservation and carbon reduction, while allowing the audience to feast their eyes. Furthermore, many new materials used in the renovation of the furnace, such as weathering steel plates and rust-proof transparent paints, were first developed by Shougang in China, effectively solving the technical challenges of corrosion prevention and maintaining the original appearance of steel structures in industrial heritage conservation projects. Representatives of industrial parks across China and even the world have visited the site and learned from Shougang's experience and technology in the old industrial base's transformation.

On the opening day of CIFTIS, Shougang's Blast Furnace #4 became the undisputed "gathering point" and a popular spot for visitors to take photos.

At the Special Exhibition on Cultural and Tourism Services staged in Hall 9, Zhang Wei, the head of Shougang's Cultural and Creative Unit, was busy receiving a throng of journalist interviews, live streamers, and buyers that surrounded Shougang's cultural and creative booth. Steel postcards as thin as cicada wings, "Fu" characters woven with silk-like steel wires, Shougang Cultural and Creative refrigerator magnets, beer, soda, ice cream, and chocolate made passersby exclaim, "Are all these from Shougang?" They were right.

Shougang's cultural and creative products have become coveted souvenirs imbued with modern styles, youthful appeal, and social flair as Shougang Park has undergone its transformation and established itself as a key location of Beijing as an international consumption center. By consistently adhering to the philosophy of "creating Shougang cultural and creative products with Shougang technology and elements," Shougang's Cultural and Creative Unit has continuously launched novel items, from the cicada wing steel postcards featuring the 2022 Winter Olympics mascots and sports icons to the state-issued cicada wing steel postcards celebrating the successful convening of the 20th CPC National Congress, from the "Good Fortune Arriving Home" silk steel souvenirs to the "Flying Snow" steel embroidery ornaments, from "Eighteen Weapons" chocolates to blast furnace ice cream, and from refrigerator magnets, keychains, and badges to Spring Festival-themed greeting cards, raising the interest of international customers. This year, Shougang's cultural and creative products were selected for inclusion in the first batch of "Beijing Gifts in Foreign Affairs". They also ranked among the top 100 products in the 2021 Beijing Gifts "Tourism Products and Cultural & Creative Products" Competition and received an Excellent Award in the Shijingshan Division of the 7th Beijing Cultural & Creative Competition. Shougang's cultural and creative products have garnered widespread acclaim and affection from consumers. With strong Shougang character, they have become shining "business cards" embodying Shougang’s technological strength and cultural power in the new era.

CIFTIS 2024 marks Shougang Park's CIFTIS 4.0. By holding CIFTIS for the fourth time, Shougang Park's facilities and capabilities for the event have evolved from level 1.0 to level 4.0. From tensile membrane structures to the transformed Blast Furnace #4, Shougang has continuously innovated the exhibition format through meticulous planning, implementation, and improvement year after year. As the permanent site of CIFTIS, it is developing a new model of modern exhibitions characterized by "industrial style, garden design, and cluster layout."

Hundreds of themed forums, conferences, international cooperation project promotion and negotiation meetings, and side events will be held during this year's CIFTIS. Together, they will create shared opportunities for the development of trade in services, facilitate collaboration to create a brighter future for the global population, and accelerate the promotion of global in-depth service trade and cooperation.