From May 15 to 18, the Changsha International Convention and Exhibition Center in Hunan will host the 2025 Changsha International Construction Machinery Expo, a major event for the global construction machinery industry.

Also known as the Changsha International Construction Equipment Expo, CICEE refers to the same event, with “machinery” highlighting the heavy-duty machines on display and “equipment” reflecting the broader range of technologies and tools featured.

Under the theme “High-end, Intelligent, Green,” this year’s CICEE aims to showcase technological innovation and drive international cooperation. The event positions China’s construction machinery sector as a key player in the evolving global industrial landscape.

Covering 300,000 square meters, the expo will feature 1,800 exhibitors, including 35 of the world’s top 50 construction machinery brands. Organizers expect over 300,000 professional visitors and a projected transaction value of $8 billion.

Since its launch in 2019, CICEE has become one of the world’s three leading construction machinery exhibitions, increasingly viewed as a bellwether for the industry’s development due to its expanding scale and international reach.

This year, the focus is on “New Quality Productive Forces,” with 1,500 new technologies and products on display. Highlights include digital construction platforms, autonomous equipment, and hydrogen-powered machines—advancing low-carbon and intelligent construction.

Among the innovations: AI-powered unmanned excavators optimize operational routes; electric aerial platforms offer high-efficiency, zero-emissions performance; and hydrogen fuel cell mining trucks debut in the dedicated Green Technology Zone.

Organizers have deepened CICEE’s internationalization strategy. Through the “Ten Countries, Hundred Cities, Thousand Enterprises Brand Tour,” promotional events have been held in countries including France, Germany, and Malaysia. Agreements have been signed with regional agents across Europe, Southeast Asia, and Africa. Plans for overseas sub-exhibitions aim to extend China’s industrial cooperation networks globally.

More than 5,000 international buyers are expected, bolstered by efforts to promote Chinese companies in Belt and Road markets. The goal: shift from “Made in China” to joint development of global industrial ecosystems.

Leading Chinese manufacturers are reinforcing this message. At BAUMA 2025 in Germany, SANY Group launched 11 new electric products tailored to European conditions and compliant with Euro V standards. Zoomlion unveiled a smart mining solution featuring fully automated operations, while Shanhe Intelligent showcased long-endurance electric excavators gaining traction in Europe and North America.

These firms are moving beyond exports, investing in local manufacturing and global integration. Zoomlion’s second-phase plant in Germany and XCMG’s new UK subsidiary highlight a shift toward embedded international operations.

CICEE also departs from traditional trade show formats. The event combines exhibition, conference, competition, and performance. Over 30 international forums and 100 corporate summits will bring together global experts to explore smart city development and future production forces.

Live competitions, including an Operator Skills Challenge and an Unmanned Machinery Demo, will highlight real-world applications. Cultural elements such as a nighttime construction-themed light show and a VR experience area offer immersive engagement with both technology and local heritage.

To streamline attendance, the expo integrates online and offline services. An online pre-registration and virtual showroom support targeted matchmaking, while the venue’s proximity to high-speed rail and airports ensures direct access to major Chinese cities within two hours.

The event is backed by the Changsha construction machinery cluster, comprising 516 upstream and downstream enterprises. The local supply chain supports giants like SANY and Zoomlion, with companies such as Jindiamond Machinery also exporting components to global clients like South Korea’s Doosan.

More than a showcase, the 2025 CICEE serves as a platform for collaborative innovation and sustainable growth. It signals a shift in China’s industrial strategy—from ‘scale expansion’ to ‘value symbiosis—and reinforces the country’s role in shaping the future of intelligent, green construction worldwide.

In Changsha, the message is clear: Chinese manufacturing is not just rising—it is redefining the industrial future.