Qiu Lixin, head of the Department of Trade in Services and Commercial Services of MOFCOM and Yan Ligang, director general of Beijing Municipal Commission of Commerce brief the media for the upcoming 4th CIFTIS. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com/Luo Yu]

This year's international trade in services fair is expected to be the biggest ever, according to the Beijing Municipal Commission of Commerce.

The commission's director general Yan Ligang said a record 3,746 business entities from 123 countries and regions have registered for this year's China Beijing International Fair for Trade in Services, or CIFTIS, which opens May 20.

"CIFTIS provides a unique platform for Chinese enterprises to go global, particularly traditional Chinese medicine," said Yan.

He added nearly 23,000 attendees are also expected, the largest number in the event's history.

Yan said the 13th five-year plan has set clear goals for the development of China's service industry and Beijing is building itself into a capital where high-end enterprises from around the world will cluster.

The head of the Department of Trade in Services and Commercial Services at the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China (MOFCOM), Qiu Lixin, said this year's fair will focus on areas such as the 'Belt and Road' Initiative, a coordinated development strategy for Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei province.

Qiu said Beijing's pilot program to open up the service sector will also be a focus.

Beijing's Municipal Commission of Commerce said CIFTIS aims to create an environment where companies can move up the value chain, and where the global service trade can be injected with vigor and vitality.

This year's CIFTIS will be held in Beijing from May 28 to June 1. The fair is expected to include sessions on finance, tourism, medical treatment and health, education, Internet Plus and e-commerce.