Chengdu International Industry Fair: Hub of the Chinese domestic economy for Swiss and German exports

The Chengdu International Industry Fair (CDIIF) is considered one of the most important industrial fairs in western China – and that is precisely what makes it strategically interesting for Europe.

By Urs Seiler || February 26 , 2026 || Swiss Representative for the CDIIF

The Xangtze River Economic Zone stretches from Shanghai to Chengdu.

The Yangtze River Economic Zone stretches from Shanghai to Chengdu. The Southern Silk Road runs from Chengdu through Kunming to Myanmar and India, while the Northern Silk Road extends from Xi'an through Xinjiang and Central Asia to Europe. The Maritime Silk Road runs from Shanghai through Singapore, Myanmar, and India to Europe. Chengdu is a strategic hub for China's manufacturing industry.

Where innovation meets industrial excellence: above-average growth

While many European companies are already active in coastal regions like Shanghai or Shenzhen, western China is experiencing above-average growth. Chengdu is the industrial center of this region and a key hub of the Chinese domestic economy. For European companies, this means new sales markets, less saturated competition, and access to emerging high-tech industries. TheChengdu International Industry Fair 's trade fair sectors include: pneumatics, robotics, software, and sheet metal fabrication.

Industry 4.0 and Automation: Access to the Western Chinese Market

China is rapidly modernizing its industry. European suppliers are considered leaders in quality and technology. The trade fair is therefore an important platform for technology transfer, cooperation, and joint ventures.

Following the pandemic and geopolitical tensions, European companies are trying to make supply chains more resilient, develop new production sites, and deepen strategic partnerships. The trade fair offers direct contact with Chinese suppliers and industry clusters.

The exhibition covers the areas of automation, robotics, information technology, metal processing, energy storage, industrial adaptation and new materials.

Conclusion

The Chengdu International Industry Fair is not just a sales platform for Europe, but a strategic observation post for technology trends, market opportunities in Western China, geopolitical developments, and the future of global supply chains.

Representation of KEY and Hannover Messe of Deutsche Messe AG for Switzerland for KEY and CDIIF

From left: Margherita Borghi, Andreas Züge, Giulia Pelosio from hfswitzerland .