by Xinhua writer Ma Yunfei

BEIJING, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Walking through the vast grounds of Shougang Park in western Beijing, I got a bit confused amid the coke ovens, blast furnaces, cooling towers, repair workshops, and the crisscrossing roads named after these structures.

A few years ago, I brought my family to visit this repurposed industrial heritage site. At the time, it served as the office location for the Beijing Winter Olympics Organizing Committee. The park was quiet, with only occasional visitors like us strolling around.

Now, however, it's bustling with activity. Starting in 2025, the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) will be held exclusively at Shougang Park. This former steel plant has been transformed into an industrial-style exhibition and leisure hub.

The five-day event, which concluded on Sunday, drew participants from 85 countries and international organizations, with nearly 2,000 companies exhibiting on-site, including close to 500 Fortune Global 500 companies and industry-leading enterprises.

Covering CIFTIS for the first time, I drove some 40 kilometers to the park every morning at dawn during the event and explored every exhibition hall. On the first day, I even needed to use my phone's navigation to find the press center, yet days later, I could confidently give directions to lost attendees.

From the moment I entered the exhibition halls, it was clear that technology took center stage. I was captivated by the embodied AI robot "shop assistant" retrieving blind boxes for visitors, as well as the humanoid robots playing football and even playing the piano. In the healthcare section, a digital-intelligent orthopedic operating room, a fusion of AI and robotics, showcased how technology is reshaping medical services.

In the outdoor exhibition area, robotic arms can be seen assisting people in making coffee, while quadruped robotic dogs perform tour-guiding tasks or simply roam around.

At the pavilion of Australia, the guest country of honor for this year's CIFTIS, an interactive AI photo experience by Australian graphic design unicorn Canva and interactive experience tech firm Sencity attracted a steady stream of participants. With camera capture and AI technology, visitors could receive an AI-generated image set against backgrounds like the Great Barrier Reef, the Ayers Rock, or the Sydney Opera House, all from a quick facial scan. These personalized photos were then printed on-site for attendees to keep as a souvenir.

In the sports services exhibition hall, I ran into an old acquaintance -- Rigour Technology, a Beijing-based high-tech enterprise specializing in sports artificial intelligence. Back in 2013, when I officiated a national snooker invitational tournament for media professionals as a Beijing Billiards Association referee, I was already impressed by the startup's Eagle Eye technology, which was being applied in snooker training and competition.

Over a decade later, the company now offers a full suite of AI-powered products and services across various sports, with solutions covering smart training, skill assessment, competition data analytics, and AI-assisted refereeing. Their Eagle Eye technology has provided services to prestigious events and organizations, including the World Table Tennis (WTT) and the World Snooker Tour. Their video assistant for refereeing and offside technologies has received FIFA certification.

"Participating in CIFTIS not only expands our brand's influence but also allows us to better understand user needs through product demonstrations," said Liu Xianzhang, deputy general manager of Rigour Technology. "We look forward to giving enthusiasts a hands-on experience with our smart systems at the event."

Perhaps most inspiring was seeing how service innovations are seamlessly integrating into daily life. At the education section, the education technology platform Feixiang Xingqiu showcased its "AI homework" system, which utilizes generative AI to tailor assignments for students.

In health services, Guang'anmen Hospital's "Guangyi Qizhi Model 2.0", an upgraded version of China's first large model in the field of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), integrates TCM diagnostic approaches and can provide intelligent support throughout the entire patient journey, from triage and pre-consultation to assisted diagnosis and post-visit follow-up.

The sports area also featured laser shooting simulations by SUOOTER Technology, providing a safe and interactive experience for all ages. Meanwhile, the "China International Candy Season" event, part of this year's CIFTIS that opened days before the fair and lasts until mid-November, has turned the park's most iconic structure, the "Big Air Shougang" -- a ski jump platform for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, into a sweet wonderland for families, highlighting how service trade also brings joy and convenience.

This former "steel city" has transformed its industrial heritage into a modern MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) hub, now serving as a cultural landmark that reflects China's growing openness in trade in services and strengthened global collaboration.

I'll definitely return to Shougang Park, whether it's to watch a WTT match, attend a music festival, or explore an exhibition.

But at the top of my to-do list? Bringing my 8-month-old son in a stroller for a trendy "Citywalk" here, soaking in both the urban energy and the serene landscape. ■