A total of 180 specialized and fast-growing high-tech firms will showcase their breakthroughs at the upcoming 11th China (Shanghai) International Technology Fair (CSITF), with a number of global cutting-edge technologies on display.

Among them is the world's only technology to secure safe flight amid the harsh Antarctic conditions showcased by China's first polar fixed-wing aircraft, and the world debut of the self-developed technology and equipment to turn lunar soil into high performance fiber materials.

The fair will be held from June 11 to 13 in the city.

As China's largest economic center, Shanghai's technology import and export hit a record-high $21.33 billion in 2024, up 17.7 percent year-on-year and ranking first nationwide. By the end of last year, the city was home to a total of 591 foreign-funded R&D centers, according to Zhou Lan, deputy director of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, at the briefing.

This year's CSITF will ramp up efforts in delivering more precise, efficient and tailored matchmaking services to both exhibitors and buyers to comprehensively promote technology trade. Supply and demand information has been collected in advance for pre-event matchmaking before the fair. More pairs are expected to be made onsite with the support of artificial intelligence, special negotiation sessions and more professional visitors organized by industry associations and innovation hubs.

Leading tech transfer institutions from both home and broad will gather at the fair to showcase selected innovation projects and seek for collaboration, including Plug and Play, Steinbeis, National Innovation Center par Excellence, National Eastern Tech-Transfer Center and Shanghai Technology Exchange.

Zhu Min, head of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, added that sticking to an innovation-driven development strategy, the fair is committed to openness, inclusiveness and mutual benefit.

Fei Xinyao contributed to this story.