Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province plans to create the
largest platform for economic and technological exchanges with
Northeast Asia.
An unprecedented number of businesspeople from home and abroad
are expected to visit this year's China Harbin International Fair
for Trade and Economic Cooperation (Harbin Fair), from June 15 to
19 in Heilongjiang's capital.
More than 10,000 businesspeople from abroad and 110,000 from
China are waiting to make their presence felt at this year's fair,
said a source with the organizing committee of the fair.
"We have invited leading transnational corporations and
professional purchasers to participate or visit the fair," the
source said.
The number of companies that has registered for the fair exceeds
the capacity of the designated exhibition area - 76,000 square
meters.
Companies from nearly 30 provinces, autonomous regions and
municipalities have applied for exhibition booths and those from
more than 50 countries and regions have confirmed their
registration.
For the first time, this year's fair has invited the Shanghai
Cooperation Organization as a co-partner, paving the way for the
participation of companies from Central Asian countries.
With its unique geographical location, sharing a 3,000-km border
with Russia, Heilongjiang leads China's trade with that country.
The province posted nearly US$6.7 billion of trade with Russia last
year, one-fifth of the national total.
This year, more businesspeople from Russia and Northeast Asian
countries intend to explore the Chinese market or seek partners at
the fair, making it an ideal place for domestic companies that aim
to tap the Russian market.
Business promotion as well as cultural activities will be this
year's fair highlight, notably the Russia Business Day, Korea
Business Day, British Investment and Trade Summit and an
international forum on the history and culture of Harbin Jews.
Harbin accepted thousands of Jews who fled during World War II.
They eventually contributed immensely to the city's subsequent
prosperity.
(China Daily May 9, 2007)