5 Fintech Events to Attend in Mainland China in 2026

China is home to one of the world’s largest fintech markets and some of its most influential companies, including Ant Group, Tencent, and Lufax. The country has developed a highly advanced fintech ecosystem, characterized by widespread adoption of mobile payments, digital banking, and integrated credit solutions that are deeply embedded in everyday life.

As innovation continues to accelerate, a number of major fintech events are scheduled across Mainland China in the months ahead. Among these conferences, the following five stand out as some of the most significant in 2026, and are expected to bring together leading decision-makers, regulators, and innovators to help shape the future of the industry.

Fintech Events to Attend in Mainland China in 2026

Shanghai AI Study Tour and Retreat

March 09-13, 2026

Shanghai, Mainland China

The Shanghai AI Study Tour and Retreat will take place from March 09 to 14, 2026. This six-day program will explore the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) and fintech in Asia, with a focus on practical applications, innovation, and the intersection of technology and financial services.

The event will highlight Shanghai as a hub for AI experimentation and financial innovation. Participants will gain insights into how banks, technology companies, and startups are deploying AI, blockchain, and digital payments to drive efficiency, inclusion, and customer value, while navigating regulatory, cybersecurity, and talent challenges.

The program will begin with a three-day innovation tour, featuring visits to leading AI and fintech companies in Shanghai and Hangzhou. Delegates will see real-world applications from organizations including:

• iFLYTEK, a pioneer in speech and language AI;
• Douyin, leveraging AI and big data for consumer engagement;
• Huawei Qingpu R&D Centre, a hub for next-generation technology;
• Ant Group, advancing digital financial infrastructure;
• MYbank, using AI to scale SME lending;
• Bank of Communications, implementing enterprise-wide digital transformation;
• Alipay, integrating AI in digital payments; and
• DingTalk, enabling enterprise collaboration.

The tour will also include cultural experiences, such as a boat ride on West Lake in Hangzhou.

Following the tour, the Shanghai AI Innovation Conference and Retreat will span two days of high-level discussions, workshops, and presentations. Key topics will include AI strategy, technology roadmaps, ethical considerations, regulatory compliance, product innovation, digital payments, credit and SME financing, cybersecurity, cloud-based financial infrastructure, and building AI-powered financial ecosystems.

Leading organizations such as China Merchants Bank, RedNote, China Construction Bank, Keeta, Ping An Bank, JD Finance, WeBank, Volcano Engine, Alibaba Cloud, Tencent Cloud, CATL, and Kunlun Tech will present insights and case studies.

The program will conclude with a cultural city tour of Shanghai, visiting the Bank of Shanghai Museum to explore the city’s financial history, the Shanghai Arts and Crafts Museum to study Haipai artisan heritage, and Yu Garden to experience classical garden artistry and local culture.

Global Artificial Intelligence Conference Hangzhou Summit and Expo

March 12-14, 2026

Hangzhou International Expo Center, Benjing Second Road, Hangzhou, Mainland China

The Global Artificial Intelligence Conference Hangzhou Summit and Expo (GAIC-HZ) will be held on March 12, 2026, at the Hangzhou International Expo Center in Hangzhou, China. The event will combine an exhibition and conference to showcase the latest AI achievements and connect the entire industry chain.

The conference will bring together leaders, innovators, and investors from across the AI ecosystem, positioning Hangzhou as a key hub for global AI collaboration, industrial integration, and technological innovation. Leading companies, including Huawei, Alibaba Cloud, DeepSeek, Unidata Technology, NVIDIA, and SenseTime, will present advances in chip development, algorithms, and applications across sectors such as intelligent manufacturing, smart cities, healthcare, and fintech.

The conference will feature a series of themed forums focused on current hot topics such as “AI Infrastructure,” “AI Algorithms,” “AI Applications,” “AI Talent,” and “AI Capital.” Experts, scholars, and industry leaders from academia, industry, and investment will gather here.

Hundreds of professional investment institutions will be on-site at the conference, providing strong financial and resource support to startups and research teams. Innovative projects will have the opportunity to directly engage with investors, secure funding, and accelerate the commercialization of their technologies.

China Information Technology Expo 2026

April 09-11, 2026

Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center, Shenzhen, Mainland China

China Information Technology Expo (CITE) 2026 will take place from April 09 to 11, 2026 at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center in Shenzhen. Organized jointly by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government, CITE is a national-level platform that showcases the latest products, technologies, and innovations across the global electronic information industry.

Founded in 2013 and operating on a market-oriented basis since 2020, CITE has developed into one of the largest and most influential electronic information expos in Asia. Over more than a decade of growth, it has established a reputation for its scale, comprehensive industry coverage, and strong international participation, serving as a key meeting point for manufacturers, technology providers, researchers, and policymakers.

The 2026 edition, themed “Technology Leading, Innovation Gathering in Shenzhen”, will leverage the strengths of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to promote industrial upgrading and regional economic cooperation. The exhibition will span the full information technology value chain, with dedicated pavilions and thematic zones covering next-generation information technology, AI computing power and data centers, electronic components, and specialized electronics.

Alongside the exhibition, the event will host an extensive conference program with more than 50 summits, themed forums, and professional activities. Discussions will address topics such as intelligent terminals, robotics, intelligent transportation, digital lifestyles, data infrastructure, and specialized electronics, and will feature over 1,000 speakers.

MWC26 Shanghai

June 24-26, 2026

Shanghai New International Expo Center (SNIEC), Shanghai, Mainland China

MWC26 Shanghai will take place from June 24 to 26, 2026, at the Shanghai New International Expo Center (SNIEC). This 13th edition of the event marks a new era in China’s tech landscape, focusing on emerging technologies, international collaboration, and industrial transformation.

MWC26 Shanghai will bring together global tech leaders, policymakers, investors, and startups to explore the latest advancements in connectivity, mobile AI, intelligent infrastructure, and next-generation networks.

The event will feature over 100 summits, 200+ exhibitors, and the prestigious Asia Mobile Awards celebrating top innovations. It will emphasize actionable insights across four key themes:

• AI 4 Enterprise, exploring AI-driven enterprise productivity and sector-specific transformation;
• ConnectAI, demonstrating intelligent networks, distributed AI, and AI-powered devices;
• Intelligent Infrastructure, highlighting cloud–edge integration, self-optimizing systems, and sustainable high-performance networks; and
• Mobile AI, showcasing edge computing, robotics, and multimodal AI for on-device intelligence.

The event will feature multiple dedicated zones highlighting cutting-edge innovation, including the Global Innovation Pavilion, the 4YFN startup zone, Constellations of the Future for satellite technologies, Mobile AI Innovation Frontiers, the 6G Zone, and the Digital Transformation Verticals Zone, covering industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, automotive, fintech, education, sports, entertainment, and sustainability.

MWC26 Shanghai will also provide opportunities for networking, investment matchmaking, and international collaboration.

China Hi-Tech Fair

November 26-28, 2026

Shenzhen World Exhibition and Convention Center, Bao’an, Shenzhen, Mainland China

The China Hi-Tech Fair (CHTF) will take place from November 26 to 28, 2026, at the Shenzhen World Exhibition and Convention Center in Bao’an, Shenzhen. As one of China’s most influential technology fairs, it is jointly organized by national and municipal government departments alongside leading research institutions, serving as a premier platform for innovation, technological exchange, and investment matchmaking.

Since its launch in 1999, the China Hi-Tech Fair has grown into a key venue for showcasing breakthroughs in electronic information, environmental protection, new energy, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, and other high-tech sectors. The event brings together domestic and international enterprises, research organizations, investors, and policymakers to explore collaborative opportunities, present cutting-edge solutions, and support the commercialization of emerging technologies.

CHTF includes thematic forums, technical seminars, product launches, and international cooperation exchanges. Its conference categories span AI and digital economy, finance and innovation and entrepreneurship, new energy and green economy, aerospace and low-altitude economy, advanced manufacturing and rail transit, biomedicine and healthcare, regional development, water conservancy and ecological technology, and other sector-specific topics.

The fair offers participants a comprehensive view of China’s high-tech ecosystem, fostering networking, investment, and cross-industry collaboration while highlighting Shenzhen’s role as a hub for innovation and global technological development.

Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Hong Kong, based on image by TravelScape via Freepik

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