China plans to host its first international exposition on circular economy in October in Qingdao, a coastal city in the eastern Shandong Province, organizers said on Tuesday.

Xie Zhenhua, deputy minister of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), said that the exposition would be held from October 23 to 25.

As a model for economic growth, circular economy aims at environmental protection, pollution prevention and sustainable development.

An important part in China's effort toward sustainable development, circular economy was officially raised as a target for China's future growth in 2004. So far, the country has introduced the circular economy on a trial basis in about 160 enterprises, cities or regions during the past years, Xie said.

Seminars on circular economy will be held on the sidelines of the biennial exposition, said Li Zibing, president of China Association of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, which is to co-organize the exposition with the Qingdao municipal development and reform commission.

(Xinhua News Agency May 7, 2008)