China Business Forum plans to release the beta version of ChinaExpoHub on January 19, 2026, marking the next stage in its efforts to improve international access to China trade shows and exhibition-related information. The platform is being developed as a practical tool for China-based exhibition organizers and international-facing partners seeking more structured exposure to overseas buyers and industry participants.
China hosts a large number of trade fairs each year across sectors such as manufacturing, consumer goods, technology, logistics, and services. While major events in cities including Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen are widely recognized, a significant share of China exhibitions remain difficult for international audiences to discover or assess. Information is often dispersed across domestic platforms, available only in Chinese, or presented without standardized formats that overseas buyers rely on when evaluating participation.
ChinaExpoHub is intended to address these structural issues by consolidating event information into a single, partner-oriented platform focused specifically on exhibitions with international relevance. The January 2026 release will be a beta launch, with limited access and functionality designed primarily for testing and validation rather than large-scale adoption.
Positioning within China Business Forum’s platform ecosystem
ChinaExpoHub operates as a dedicated product within China Business Forum’s broader China business media and platform ecosystem. While China Business Forum covers policy developments, market trends, and cross-border trade activity, ChinaExpoHub concentrates exclusively on exhibitions and trade events.
The platform is positioned as a complementary channel rather than a substitute for existing marketing or registration systems used by organizers. Many Chinese exhibitions already rely on domestic ticketing platforms, industry associations, and local promotion networks. ChinaExpoHub is designed to add an international-facing layer focused on discoverability, early-stage interest capture, and standardized presentation for overseas audiences.
This approach reflects ongoing changes in how international companies evaluate participation in China-based events. Buyers and exhibitors increasingly seek advance clarity on event scope, visitor profiles, and timing before committing resources, particularly when travel, logistics, or regulatory considerations are involved.
Core functions included in the beta release
The beta version of ChinaExpoHub will initially focus on three functional areas. The first is event discovery. International users will be able to browse China-focused exhibitions by industry category, location, and schedule, helping them navigate China’s dense and often overlapping exhibition calendar.
The second area covers registration and lead capture. Participating organizers will be able to receive structured expressions of interest from overseas buyers and exhibitors, enabling earlier visibility into the level and type of international demand. This function is intended to support basic inquiry management rather than replace full registration systems.
The third function involves partner promotion tools. These allow Chinese expo organizers to publish event information directly on the platform using a standardized format, improving consistency and comparability across listings. During the beta phase, these tools will be tested with a limited number of partners to assess usability and relevance.
Role of exhibition partners during the beta phase
Partner participation is a central component of the beta strategy. China Business Forum has indicated that selected exhibition organizers and internationally oriented operators will be onboarded first. These partners will be able to publish events, monitor early international interest, and provide feedback on how the platform fits into their existing workflows.
Rather than prioritizing rapid expansion, the beta phase is structured around iterative development. Feedback from organizers will be used to assess which features provide practical value and which require adjustment. Decisions on future functionality will be based on observed usage patterns rather than predefined assumptions.
For organizers, the platform’s relevance lies mainly in reducing friction in international outreach. By centralizing basic event information and inquiries, ChinaExpoHub aims to streamline early-stage engagement with overseas audiences that may not be reached through China-based promotion channels alone.
Implications for international buyers and exhibitors
From the perspective of international buyers, ChinaExpoHub is intended to provide clearer access to China’s exhibition ecosystem, particularly for companies evaluating participation options from abroad. Standardized listings and inquiry processes are designed to reduce information gaps and improve comparability between events.
The platform does not alter existing requirements related to visas, travel, customs, or official exhibition procedures. Attendance at events listed on ChinaExpoHub remains subject to the same regulatory and organizational conditions set by event organizers and Chinese authorities.
Next steps following the January 2026 launch
After the beta launch, China Business Forum plans to review partner feedback and platform usage before determining whether and how to expand ChinaExpoHub’s scope. Any additional features or broader access will be introduced incrementally, based on demonstrated needs and operational feasibility.
ChinaExpoHub will be available as a mobile-friendly app, with further technical details to be released closer to launch. The beta phase is intended to test assumptions, validate demand, and refine the platform before any wider rollout.
China Business Forum continues to develop tools and content aimed at improving transparency and access in cross-border business engagement. Through initiatives such as ChinaExpoHub, the organization is focusing on practical gaps in how international audiences interact with Chinese markets, trade activity, and exhibitions.
