Founders & Technology Innovators
For founders working across hardware, robotics, AI, advanced technology or physical products, the program provides direct exposure to Shenzhen's component, prototyping, manufacturing and commercialisation ecosystem.
China 2026 · CHTF
China Hi-Tech Fair. Two cities. Nine days.
A curated Australian immersion into China’s technology, manufacturing and innovation ecosystem. Shenzhen, then Guangzhou. The China Hi-Tech Fair as the anchor — Asia Pacific Innovation Showcase.
- When
- 24 Nov–2 Dec 2026
- Where
- Shenzhen & Guangzhou
- Participation Fee
- AUD $6,950
China Innovation Executive Delegation 2026
A focused Australian delegation exploring Physical AI, robotics and hardware at scale
Artificial intelligence is rapidly moving beyond software and into robots, autonomous systems, factories, mobility and physical infrastructure. Shenzhen sits at the centre of that shift, combining AI capability with one of the world’s most sophisticated hardware, prototyping and manufacturing ecosystems.
Across the delegation, participants will combine the China Hi-Tech Fair with private access to robotics companies, AI platforms, research centres, prototyping facilities, supply-chain ecosystems and cross-border innovation zones.
The program is designed to show not only what is being developed, but how ideas move from research and software into physical products, manufacturing and commercial deployment.
Through Cohort Group and our local partners, delegates will gain context, access and connections that would be difficult to organise independently, while travelling as part of a small Australian executive cohort.
Technology. Hardware. Commercialisation. Scale.
China High Tech Fair
Asia Pacific Innovation Showcase
The China Hi-Tech Fair brings together nearly half a million professional visitors from more than 120 countries and regions, alongside thousands of exhibitors spanning artificial intelligence, robotics, advanced manufacturing, mobility, energy and emerging technology.
For this delegation, CHTF will be approached through a focused lens on Physical AI, embodied robotics, autonomous systems, intelligent hardware and the enabling technologies beneath them, including sensors, semiconductors, AI infrastructure and advanced manufacturing.
Over three intensive days, delegates will explore major technologies, companies, forums, product launches and commercial opportunities across the fair.
450,000+
Professional Visitors
120+
Countries & Regions
5,000+
Exhibitors
400,000 m²
Exhibition Space
2025 figures
What's Included
Three days of access to the China Hi-Tech Fair in Shenzhen, with a curated focus on Physical AI, embodied robotics, autonomous systems, semiconductors, intelligent hardware, advanced manufacturing and related emerging technologies.
A curated program of private company, research, innovation and ecosystem visits across Shenzhen, Qianhai, Hetao and Guangzhou. The program may include robotics laboratories, AI platforms, research centres, prototyping facilities, maker spaces, supply-chain hubs, smart factories and innovation organisations.
Final organisations remain subject to host availability and confirmation.
Delegates will participate in contextual briefings, executive discussions, networking sessions and roundtables designed to explain the commercial, technical and policy environments behind the organisations and technologies visited.
Eight nights of premium 5-star accommodation with each delegate provided with a private room or suite. Final hotels will be selected based on program locations, access and overall delegate experience.
All official in-country ground transportation required for the delegation program, including airport transfers, company visits, event transport and scheduled group movements.
High-speed rail transport between Shenzhen and Guangzhou as part of the official delegation program.
Meals and hospitality included as part of the official delegation program, including the Welcome Dinner, hosted networking meals, official lunches where scheduled and the Farewell Dinner.
Local program support throughout the delegation, including coordination, logistics assistance and translation or interpretation where required.
Cohort Group will manage the delegation experience from pre-departure preparation through to the final debrief, providing on-ground hosting, context, introductions and support throughout the program.
Shenzhen • Greater Bay Area • Guangzhou
From Physical AI to Industrial Scale
Three connected ecosystems. One view of how technology moves from idea to deployment.
The delegation moves through three distinct but closely connected parts of the Greater Bay Area, each revealing a different layer of China's innovation and industrial ecosystem.
Shenzhen is the deep-dive into Physical AI, robotics, rapid prototyping and the hardware supply chain. AI platforms, components, engineering, prototyping and manufacturing capability operate within an unusually compressed geography, allowing physical products to move from design to iteration and production at remarkable speed.
Through Qianhai, Hetao and the Shenzhen–Hong Kong innovation corridor, the program expands beyond individual companies to examine the infrastructure that connects research, intellectual property, capital, talent and manufacturing. This is where delegates can understand how cross-border policy and commercialisation pathways help move emerging technologies from research into real-world application.
The final stage in Guangzhou shifts the focus to industrial scale. Advanced manufacturing, industrial AI, intelligent mobility and logistics provide a view of how technologies are deployed across production environments, infrastructure and large-scale commercial operations.
Together, these three environments create a clearer picture of the full innovation cycle, from research and prototyping through to manufacturing, deployment and commercial growth.
Shenzhen — Physical AI, robotics, prototyping and hardware.
Qianhai + Hetao — Cross-border R&D, capital, IP and commercialisation.
Guangzhou — Advanced manufacturing and industrial deployment.
Research → Prototyping → Hardware → Manufacturing → Deployment
Who Should Join
Corporate Executives & Investors
For business leaders and investors, the delegation provides firsthand exposure to Physical AI, robotics, industrial deployment, intelligent infrastructure and the technologies moving rapidly toward commercial scale.
Government, Universities & Ecosystem Leaders
For policy, education and ecosystem leaders, the program provides insight into how Shenzhen and the Greater Bay Area combine policy, research, talent, investment and industry to accelerate technology commercialisation.
Indicative Program
Nine Days. Eight Nights. Two Cities.
This is the current structure of the delegation. Final company, research and institutional visits will continue to develop with our partners in Shenzhen and the Greater Bay Area.
24 November
Australia to China
Delegates travel from Australia to China, with arrivals coordinated through Hong Kong or Shenzhen depending on final flight routing.
25 November
Arrival, Orientation & Delegation Briefing
Hotel check-in, informal welcome drinks and orientation in Shenzhen, setting the context for Physical AI, hardware and the Greater Bay Area innovation ecosystem.
26 November
China Hi-Tech Fair & Qianhai
Curated CHTF program focused on Physical AI and autonomous systems, combined with Qianhai engagement and official delegation activities.
27 November
Physical AI & Enterprise Innovation
Private industry program focused on embodied robotics, AI platforms, autonomous systems and the infrastructure supporting Physical AI.
28 November
Hetao Cross-Border Innovation
Explore the Shenzhen–Hong Kong research and innovation corridor, including cross-border R&D, commercialisation, IP, talent and emerging robotics research.
29 November
Qianhai Innovation & Maker Ecosystem
Program focused on innovation spaces, prototyping, founder engagement and Australia–China technology connections.
30 November
Agile Supply Chain & Prototyping
Explore Shenzhen's electronics sourcing, component ecosystem, prototyping facilities and micro-manufacturing capability.
1 December
Guangzhou Industrial Scale
High-speed rail to Guangzhou for targeted advanced manufacturing or industrial AI visits, followed by executive B2B engagement and Farewell Dinner.
2 December
Depart China
Airport transfers and international return journey.
China Innovation Executive Delegation 2026
AUD $6,950 per person
24 November – 2 December 2026 | Shenzhen + Guangzhou
- 8 nights 5-star accommodation
- China Hi-Tech Fair access
- private industry, research and innovation program
- executive briefings and roundtables
- ground transportation
- high-speed rail
- official food and hospitality
- local support and translation
- full Cohort Group delegation hosting
International flights and visas are not included in the standard delegation package.