Global Innovation Takes Center Stage at IEI 2026 in Guangzhou, China
The 12th International Exhibition of Inventions (IEI 2026) and the “Belt & Road” and BRICS Competition of Skills Development and Technology Innovation (BRBC 2026)
The 12th International Exhibition of Inventions brought together more than 3,700 inventions and innovation achievements, participants from 35 countries and international organizations, and a strong international program connecting invention, intellectual property, skills development and technology commercialization.
Introduction
Event Date: August 21–23, 2026
Venue: China Import and Export Fair Complex, Guangzhou, China
Organizers: China Association of Inventions (CAI), Chinese Council of BRICS Business Council, and Guangzhou Domestic Cooperation Service Center
International Support: World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and International Federation of Inventors’ Associations (IFIA)
The 12th International Exhibition of Inventions (IEI 2026), held concurrently with the 34th Guangzhou Fair and alongside BRBC 2026, concluded successfully in Guangzhou after three days of exhibitions, competitions, international exchange and technology cooperation. Under the theme “Invention and Innovation for High-Quality Development,” the event strengthened its role as an international platform where inventors, universities, research institutions, enterprises, industry organizations and innovation stakeholders could meet, present new technologies and explore pathways toward practical implementation.
According to the organizers and official Guangzhou media, IEI 2026 occupied more than 20,000 square meters, showcased more than 3,700 Chinese and international frontier innovation achievements, and brought together innovation resources from 35 countries and international organizations. More than 600 international science and technology professionals participated in the broader international program, demonstrating the expanding global reach of the exhibition.
Opening Ceremony and Distinguished Participation
The opening program brought together senior government, scientific, intellectual property and innovation representatives. Among the distinguished speakers and participants reported at the opening were:
- Zhao Guosheng, Vice Mayor of Guangzhou
- Yu Huarong, Party Secretary of the China Association of Inventions
- Zhang Yong, Mayor of Haikou, the Guest City of the 34th Guangzhou Fair
- Xue Qikun, President of Southern University of Science and Technology, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and recipient of China’s Highest Science and Technology Award
- Hu Wenhui, Deputy Commissioner of the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA)
- Alireza Rastegar, President of the International Federation of Inventors’ Associations (IFIA)
In the opening remarks, speakers emphasized the importance of connecting scientific discovery and invention with industrial application, intellectual property protection and international cooperation. The program highlighted Guangzhou and the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area as a major environment for translating technological achievements into economic and societal value.
International Participation and Seven Specialized Exhibition Areas
IEI 2026 significantly expanded its international dimension. The International Inventions area gathered inventors and projects from multiple countries, with the event as a whole bringing together participants from 35 countries and international organizations. The exhibition was organized around seven specialized areas designed to improve visibility, technical exchange and resource matching:
- International Inventions
- New Quality Productivity Development
- Defence Technology
- Research Achievements of Higher Education Institutions
- Invention Achievements of Innovative Craftsmen
- Green Production and New Material Innovations
- Youth Talent Invention and Innovation
These exhibition areas presented achievements across strategic and emerging fields including artificial intelligence, digital technologies, advanced manufacturing, new energy storage, biomedicine, environmental technologies, new materials and youth innovation. By combining technical diversity with specialized zones, the exhibition enabled visitors and professional stakeholders to identify relevant technologies and engage more directly with their creators.
Innovation for New Quality Productive Forces
A central feature of IEI 2026 was its focus on innovation that can contribute directly to industrial upgrading and the development of new quality productive forces. Technologies with practical application potential were given strong visibility, reflecting an increasing emphasis on inventions that can move beyond laboratory or prototype stages toward manufacturing, deployment and market adoption.
The program encouraged interaction among research institutions, universities, technology enterprises and industry specialists, supporting a broader innovation chain in which invention, intellectual property, technical validation, industrial demand and commercialization are considered together.
BRBC 2026: Skills Development and Technology Innovation
The “Belt & Road” and BRICS Competition of Skills Development and Technology Innovation (BRBC 2026) was held concurrently with IEI 2026. The competition created an international environment for skills exchange, technical problem-solving and the development of applied innovation capabilities among participants from Belt and Road and BRICS-related networks.
Together with the invention exhibition, BRBC 2026 strengthened the connection between technical skills, invention and workforce development, while providing participants with opportunities to exchange methods, compare solutions and engage with international innovation resources.
Intellectual Property Roadshows and Technology Transfer
IEI 2026 also placed strong emphasis on the transformation and commercialization of innovative achievements. Two-way intellectual property project roadshows and matchmaking meetings were organized during the event to connect technology owners with potential partners, enterprises, institutions and commercialization resources.
The organizers introduced a more structured project-matching approach, including the selection of projects with potential relevance to industries in Guangzhou and the Greater Bay Area, followed by project presentations, dedicated roadshows and one-to-one discussions. This model supported technology cooperation, intellectual property transfer, investment dialogue and potential industrial implementation.
Awards and International Recognition
The closing program on August 23 recognized outstanding inventions and innovation achievements presented during the exhibition. International distinctions formed an important part of the awards program, reinforcing the global profile of participating inventors, research teams and technologies.
A highlight of the closing ceremony was the presentation of the IFIA Best Invention Award 2026. The International Federation of Inventors’ Associations (IFIA) recognized three outstanding inventions for their inventive merit, technical significance and potential for real-world impact:
- Name of Invention: Wondaleaf® Afresh
Name of Inventor: Dr. John Tang Ing Ching
Organization: Twin Catalyst Sdn Bhd – MINDS - Name of Invention: Key Components, Integration and Applications of High-Performance Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Stacks
Name of Inventor: Minfang Han
Organization: Tsinghua University / Xuzhou Huatsing Jingkun Energy Co., Ltd. - Name of Invention: High-Resolution, Fast-Response Multi-Parameter Plasma Diagnostic Technology and Applications for Space Electric Propulsion
Name of Inventor: Weizong Wang
Organization: Beihang University
Together, the three IFIA Best Invention Award 2026 recipients reflected the breadth of innovation represented at IEI 2026, spanning user-centered product development, high-performance clean-energy systems and advanced diagnostic technology for space electric propulsion. The recognitions underscored IFIA’s commitment to identifying inventions that combine technical excellence with strong potential for scientific, industrial and societal value.
IEI 2026 and the 34th Guangzhou Fair
The concurrent organization of IEI 2026 and the 34th Guangzhou Fair created a broader environment for connecting invention with industry and markets. While IEI focused on inventions, technology and innovation achievements, the Guangzhou Fair brought together a much larger commercial and industrial community, including thousands of exhibiting enterprises and professional buyers.
This parallel format helped bridge the gap between technological creativity and market demand. For participating inventors, researchers and technology organizations, it provided access to a wider network of potential industrial partners, procurement channels, enterprises and regional cooperation opportunities.
International Engagement and IFIA Support
IFIA’s support for IEI 2026 reflects the Federation’s continuing commitment to strengthening international cooperation among inventors, invention associations and innovation organizations. By supporting major international platforms such as IEI, IFIA contributes to greater visibility for inventors and encourages stronger links between invention, intellectual property, scientific collaboration and commercialization.
The participation of international inventors, universities, enterprises and innovation institutions also reinforced the role of IEI as a meeting point between China’s innovation ecosystem and the wider global invention community. This international exchange is increasingly important as emerging technologies require cross-border cooperation, multidisciplinary expertise and access to diverse markets.
Impact and a Growing Global Innovation Platform
With more than 3,700 inventions and innovation achievements, participation from 35 countries and international organizations, seven specialized exhibition areas, BRBC 2026, intellectual property matchmaking activities and a strong connection with the 34th Guangzhou Fair, IEI 2026 represented one of the major international invention gatherings held in China this year.
The event demonstrated how international invention exhibitions are evolving beyond traditional display and competition formats. Increasingly, they serve as platforms for technology transfer, international networking, skills development, intellectual property utilization, industry engagement and market-oriented cooperation.