The 2024 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) was held from 12 to 16 September in Beijing. On 12 September, CSAM supported the “Forum on Urban-Rural Development at the China International Fair for Trade in Service 2024” on the theme of “Modern Service Sector and Modernization of Agriculture and Rural Areas”, organized by the China International Association for Urban and Rural Development (CIAD) alongside the Fair.

CSAM’s welcoming remarks highlighted the importance of integrating modernized services with agricultural and rural development to strengthen food systems and support vulnerable communities. While emphasizing the role of new technologies in enhancing rural livelihoods by providing access to advanced tools and markets, CSAM relies on its member States’ advancements in agricultural development, and China’s recent successes through adoption of new agricultural technologies and services can offer valuable insights for improving food security and resilience in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.

The keynote speech highlighted the crucial role of service providers in increasing the level of mechanization in agricultural production, as these providers enhance productivity and efficiency through advanced machinery and innovative solutions. During the event, CIAD also introduced the report titled "Promoting the Modernization of Agricultural and Rural Areas with a Modernized Service System." The report is divided into three parts: the evolution of the agricultural and rural service industry, the current status and role of modernization in China's agricultural and rural sectors, and key areas and policy recommendations for developing a comprehensive agricultural and rural service system. The report highlights that agricultural production trusteeship services have become a pivotal mechanism linking agricultural producer services with small farmers in China, emphasizing that agricultural mechanization is central to the development of these services.

The other sections and panels of the Forums discussed Insurance Service in Agricultural and Rural Development; High-tech for High-Quality Agricultural Development; Public Welfare Initiatives in Rural Revitalization; Rural Development Models Integrating Culture, Sports, and Tourism; and Exemplary Cases in Regional High-Quality Development. The 2024 CIFTIS was co-hosted by the Ministry of Commerce of China and the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality. This year’s focus on global services for mutual benefits showcased China's latest developments on trade in services.