Over 1,700 science and technology specialists from home and abroad, armed with their latest research findings and technical requirement questions, gathered yesterday in Fuzhou, the capital of Fujian Province in southeast China, to attend the Fourth China (Fujian) Technology and Projects Fair.

The three-day fair serves as a platform for technological innovation and project consolidation, and is a major exhibition of programs, technologies, and capital and human resources. Two-way communication is the highlight of the fair where the latest research findings are matched with the relevant technical applications and solutions.

Attendees include specialists from universities and research institutes, and representatives from private enterprises, individual investors, and financial institutions from 28 countries.

Key industries that are a focus of this year's fair include the recycling economy, machinery, textiles, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, all forming the industrial backbone of Fujian Province.

A highlight of this year's fair is the Recycling Economy Exhibition Hall, which has been set up for the first time. A collection of new achievements and productions in the fields of clean production, new energy, multi-application of resources, energy-saving technology and pollution prevention are on display.

Another prominent feature is the inaugural Exhibition of Inventions Made by Workers of the Chinese Mainland and Taiwan. Jointly undertaken by the Fujian Provincial Federation of Trade Unions and the Fujian Provincial Association of Invention, the presentations showcase the workers' innovative spirit and boost the commercialization of their inventions. One of the 200 inventions on exhibition is a high-grade fire resistant coating invented by Wu Quanfa from Quanzhou Huaqiang Fire Prove Manufacturer. The invention won the golden prize at the Geneva Invention Exhibition in 2005.

Located just across Taiwan on the Taiwan Straits, Fujian is the main driver of construction for the economic zone on the west coast of the Straits, a role?that has been included in the 11th Five-Year Plan (2006-2010), the central government's social and economic development plan. The main purpose of the fair is to strengthen science and technology exchange and cooperation between the two sides of the Straits.

Some 70 experts from universities and enterprises in Taiwan are participating in the fair this year. These experts will introduce to their counterparts about 72 research projects and achievements mainly in the fields of agriculture and fishing.

"Although the fair lasts only three days, it is a long-term effective mechanism for the linking up of projects, technologies, capital and talent, and its consequences will exert positive influences for a prolonged period," said Lin Xineng, vice director of the Fujian Provincial Development and Reform Commission on Saturday. "The curtains will never be lowered on the fair," he added.

Three forums and one symposium will be held on the sidelines of the fair. They are the Fourth Cross-Straits Youth Forum, Independent Innovation Forum, Cross-Straits Science and Technology Intermediary Service Forum, and Symposium on Globalization and the Cooperation Between Fujian and Taiwan. In addition, more than 20 special consolidation and partnership meetings are expected to be conducted.

The three-year-old fair is held annually from June 18 to 20. According to Lin Xineng, last year's event has already borne fruit. The construction of 827 projects, or 68.3 percent of the projects signed last year, has already begun, and half of the agreements or memoranda of intention are now formal contracts. Further, the Fujian Provincial Development and Reform Commission has allocated 85 million yuan (US$10.3 million) to the promotion of the commercialization of innovations.

The Fourth China (Fujian) Technology and Projects Fair is jointly sponsored by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, People's Daily, Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council, State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs and the Fujian provincial government, and organized by the Fujian Provincial Development and Reform Commission.

(China.org.cn by staff reporter Zhang Tingting, June 19, 2006)