Major tech fair opens in Shanghai

The 12th China (Shanghai) International Technology Fair opened in Shanghai on Thursday, bringing together 22 countries and 24 Chinese regions to showcase innovation in digital intelligence and green transformation. Scottish and Swiss cities serve as guest cities of honor, while companies like Austrian robotics firm Agilox highlight China’s growing role as a hub for technological partnerships and manufacturing." "article": "The 12th China (Shanghai) International Technology Fair launched Thursday at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center, positioning Shanghai as a global bridge for Chinese innovation and international collaboration. The three-day event features 15 debut projects, spanning digital intelligence and green transformation across industries, alongside delegations from 22 countries and 24 Chinese regions. Scottish city clusters—including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Inverness, and Stirling—were named overseas guest cities of honor, with Glasgow recognized for the second consecutive year. Kirsty McNeill, Scotland’s parliamentary under-secretary, led a delegation showcasing sectors like fintech and digital innovation to boost trade and investment. Lausanne, Switzerland, also joined as a guest city, highlighting its expertise in life sciences, AI, and precision engineering. The fair’s structure includes one themed exhibition, four professional technology zones, and an innovation trading service area. Pierre-Antoine Hildbrand, Lausanne’s vice-mayor, emphasized the event’s role in fostering trust and long-term cooperation between ecosystems. ‘Successful innovation now depends on connecting people and systems,’ he noted, calling the platform essential for global partnerships. Agilox, an Austrian manufacturer of autonomous mobile robots, made its debut at the fair to expand in Asia-Pacific. Juergen Brunner, Agilox’s APAC manager, called China a ‘fast-growing market’ with high-quality manufacturing and rapid technological development. Over 60 Agilox robots are already deployed across nine Chinese Tobacco facilities, demonstrating long-term collaboration potential. Zhou Lan, deputy director of Shanghai’s commerce commission, stated the fair would ‘strengthen innovation sourcing’ and promote open cooperation. The event underscores China’s evolving role as a key player in global technology and manufacturing partnerships.