From AI diagnostics to exoskeletons, the event highlights how healthcare tech is moving into real-world use
Updated
April 8, 2026 10:43 AM
Tesla Bot Optimus, designed by Tesla. PHOTO: ADOBE STOCK
The China International Medical Equipment Fair 2026 will open in Shanghai from April 9 to 12 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center. It is one of the largest gatherings in the medical device industry. This year’s edition will cover more than 320,000 square metres. Nearly 5,000 companies and brands are expected to participate, representing over 20 countries and regions. Organisers also expect more than 200,000 professional visitors and buyers from around 150 markets.
A key focus this year is the growing use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. One of the headline technologies is an AI agent designed to carry out multiple diagnoses from a single scan. The exhibition will also feature diagnostic software that is already in clinical use. In addition, an integrated platform for AI training and inference will be showcased to improve computing capacity within healthcare institutions.
Robotics will also play a central role at the event. New systems across surgical procedures, rehabilitation and elderly care are expected to be presented. Together, these developments point to a steady move toward more precise and assisted forms of care. Many of these technologies are designed to support clinicians and patients, especially in tasks that require consistent accuracy or long-term physical assistance.
For the first time, the event will introduce a dedicated Future Tech Arena. It will focus on brain-computer interfaces, embodied intelligence and university-led innovation. The space will include AI-assisted MRI systems for Alzheimer’s diagnosis. It will also feature brain-computer interface technologies used for cognitive assessment and training, along with wearable robotic exoskeletons.
Alongside product showcases, the event will continue to act as a platform for international trade and collaboration. An International Zone will host exhibitors from countries such as the United States, Germany, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, France, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. This provides a view of how different markets are approaching medical technology. It also reflects the global nature of innovation and deployment in this sector.
The programme will include a set of networking and exchange formats under its “We” initiative. These include discussion stages with representatives from consulates and industry organisations, as well as matchmaking sessions based on verified buyer demand. Guided tours will also be organised to help international visitors connect with relevant exhibitors. In parallel, organisers are working with hospital partners to provide medical support services for attendees during the event.
Across the four days, hundreds of forums are scheduled. These will bring together policymakers, researchers and industry leaders to discuss regulatory frameworks, market access and the future of healthcare innovation. Some of these sessions will be led by the Global Harmonization Working Party in collaboration with the Ministry of Health of Malaysia, with a focus on regulatory alignment and cross-border cooperation in medical devices.
As healthcare systems continue to adopt digital tools and advanced equipment, events like CMEF provide a clear view of how these technologies are being developed and applied. The scale of participation this year reflects continued activity across both innovation and international collaboration in the medical device sector.
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Tencent’s latest solution simplifies cross-border payments for Weixin users and merchants.
Updated
January 8, 2026 6:33 PM
Tencent's large penguin statue in front of a building. PHOTO: UNSPLASH
In a world where digital borders are fading faster than ever, Tencent is betting on familiarity. With the launch of TenPay Global Checkout, the company wants to make paying across countries feel as seamless as paying at home.
The new service, unveiled today, allows Weixin Mini Program merchants outside mainland China to accept a variety of local payment methods. That includes digital wallets, real-time payment networks and credit and debit cards, all through a single integration. The launch starts in Singapore and Macao SAR, where merchants can now take payments via PayNow, BOCPAY(MO), and major cards. Japan, Australia and New Zealand are next, with more regions to follow soon.
This rollout builds on the growing reach of Weixin Mini Programs, known internationally through WeChat. These small apps are built right into the platform, letting users' shop, book services and make payments without downloading separate apps. Today, there are over one million monthly active users in key overseas markets, with Mini Programs available across 92 countries and regions.
Yet, for many users abroad, paying within Mini Programs hasn’t always been simple. Foreign card restrictions, currency conversions and limited local options often made checkout a frustrating step. TenPay Global Checkout aims to change that.
“TenPay Global Checkout marks an important step in enhancing the local consumer experience. By enabling overseas Weixin Mini Program merchants to accept trusted and diversified local payment methods through one unified solution, users benefit from a more convenient and efficient payment experience. This helps merchants improve payment conversion rates, expand their user base and scale their businesses to serve a broader range of customers”, said Wenhui Yang, CEO of TenPay Global (Singapore).
What makes this move interesting isn’t just its technical simplicity—it’s the cultural bridge it builds. For users in Singapore or Japan, paying with PayNow or a local card inside Weixin feels less like an international transaction and more like an everyday purchase.
For merchants, it’s an invitation into a market that values convenience and trust. Payment familiarity, after all, often decides whether a user completes a purchase or abandons it at checkout.
The company remains focused on creating secure, connected and user-friendly payment experiences that help merchants grow and allow consumers to pay with confidence, wherever they are.
If successful, TenPay Global Checkout could quietly redefine how cross-border commerce feels—not like a transaction across regions, but a familiar tap, scan or click. In an increasingly global marketplace, that kind of familiarity might just be the next frontier in digital trust.