China's only state-sponsored international professional exchange conference will be held in Shenyang, capital of Liaoning Province, in September.

 

The conference will see business people and other professionals from across China, Russia and other countries meet to forge contacts.

 

"It is an important event, supporting the strategy to revitalize northeast China, the nation's old industrial base," said Zhang Jianguo, deputy director-general of the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs, which organizes the event.

 

The annual event has been held in Nanjing, capital of East China's Jiangsu Province for the last four years.

 

Scheduled for September 19 to 21, this year's conference is expected to attract about 1,500 participants from more than 30 countries and regions.

 

About 500 participants will be from foreign professional exchange organizations, training agencies, colleges, academies and high-tech enterprises.

 

Among them, more than half are expected to be experts from Russia and other countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

 

"It differs from the previous conferences, since the exchanges with Russia and other CIS countries will be highlighted this year," said Zhang, speaking at a press conference yesterday.

 

So far, 32 national and regional science academies from Russia and other CIS countries have agreed to send representatives.

 

They will also provide the majority of the total 1,800 high-tech projects which will be displayed at the conference, looking for Chinese partners.

 

The projects include advanced technologies in 10 fields including machine manufacturing, petrochemical production, environmental protection, information technology and biotechnology.

 

(China Daily July 7, 2006)