At IFA 2026 in Berlin, the growing presence of Chinese exhibitors has sparked a debate: is the trade show becoming too Chinese?
IFA CEO Leif Lindner has a clear response.
This year's event, the 102nd edition, runs from September 4 to 8 at Messe Berlin. It features nearly 2,000 brands and expects around 220,000 visitors.
Chinese companies account for almost half of all exhibitors, with roughly 930 from mainland China alone, plus additional ones from Hong Kong.
By floor space, their share is 38%.
A Reflection of Market Realities
Lindner emphasized that IFA is not concerned about the origin of innovation. He stated that the show simply mirrors the realities of the market.
He also noted that the partnership with Chinese companies has grown over about 20 years, not suddenly.
This year, Xiaomi is making its formal international debut with a large presence.
Other prominent Chinese brands include Dreame, Hisense, TCL, and Anker. Chinese humanoid-robot and embodied-intelligence companies have drawn particular attention.
Lindner views the robotics surge as a wake-up call for Europe.
He believes these technologies could become practical and affordable within two or three years, potentially aiding in household chores and family care.
He also put the current moment into historical context. Six years ago, many breakthroughs came from South Korea; twenty years before that, Japan led the wave.
If the next major wave comes from Malaysia, he said, that would be fine too.
IFA's mission, Lindner emphasized, is 'Innovation For All,' bringing the best global ideas to Berlin. The focus is on the technology and ideas, not the companies' origins.
