CACIE 2026 draws record attendance for expanded international education collaboration

The 27th China Annual Conference & Expo for International Education (CACIE 2026) is being held at the China National Convention Center in Beijing from Oct. 29 to 31.

Organized by China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE), this year's conference brings together more than 6,000 education professionals, including representatives from over 2,000 institutions across more than 70 countries and regions to explore new opportunities for high-standard opening up and international cooperation in education.

The plenary session of CACIE 2026 is held at the China National Convention Center in Beijing on Oct. 30, 2026. (Photos provided to People's Daily Online)

Yang Jun, Vice President and Secretary General of CEAIE, said attendance at this year's conference exceeded 6,000 for the first time, underscoring its growing appeal and international influence.

Yang highlighted three key improvements: transforming the conference from an international conference/expo platform into a comprehensive service platform for educational exchanges and cooperation, integrating AI technologies into conference activities, and further leveraging the CEAIE's influence in the education sector.

The number of overseas institutions participating in matchmaking sessions is five times that of previous editions, with 20 percent of institutions taking part in the education expo being first-time participants. Meanwhile, 14 of the conference's 40 parallel forums focus on digital technologies and AI applications, Yang said.

The conference features more than 100 events, including the opening plenary, 40 parallel forums, 7 matchmaking sessions for Chinese and overseas institutions, over 20 information sessions, 2 CACIE Talk and CACIE Night. The events covers higher education, vocational education and basic education.

To further promote Sino-foreign cooperative education, the conference provides a platform for cross-border institutional partnerships, facilitating cooperation through policy guidance and targeted matchmaking.

Thailand is participating as the country of honor for the first time, with 16 universities showcasing their educational strengths and opportunities for international cooperation.

Launched in 2000 with the approval of China's State Council and organized by CEAIE, CACIE has grown into China's largest comprehensive platform for international educational exchanges and cooperation, and one of the leading international education events in the Asia-Pacific region.

The plenary session of CACIE 2026 is held at the China National Convention Center in Beijing on Oct. 30, 2026.