The companies to be represented include Steinway and Warwick from Germany, Roland from Japan, Tomlee from Hong Kong, and Fazioli from Italy.

The fair is the first for musical instruments ever held in Shanghai and is co-sponsored by Messe Frankfurt, Shanghai International Exhibition Center (INTEX) Limited Company, and the China Association of Music Instruments (CAMI).

More than 260 manufacturers from China and 15 other countries and regions have registered for booths, which will cover a total area of 15,000 square meters at INTEX.

The fair will present acoustic and electric musical instruments, music computers and software, professional sound and recording equipment and musical accessories, as well as live shows, concerts, demonstration shows and a children's competition.

CAMI chairman Wang Gentian said overseas musical instrument manufacturers would get an understanding of the Chinese market and its development at the fair.

He also said high-quality instruments and manufacturing techniques would help Chinese manufacturers, consumers and music lovers learn more about advanced production methods in the world and provide more opportunities for famous brands to enter the Chinese market.

Werner Husmann, of Steinway, said his company expects wider public exposure at Music China 2002, in addition to the professional music institutions, and hopes to enter the Chinese private piano market.

Statistics show China has four million professional musicians, and musical instrument imports for 2002 are expected to reach around 83 million US dollars.

(Xinhua News Agency August 9, 2002)