A Chinese national exhibition will be held next month in Moscow as part of the events during the Year of China in Russia, a senior Chinese trade official said on Tuesday.

The exhibition, scheduled for March 26-29, will be the biggest comprehensive show China has ever held outside the country in almost three decades, Yu Guangzhou, vice minister of commerce, told a news conference in Moscow.

The exhibition is aimed at promoting cooperation between and common development of the two countries, Yu said.

"A total of 200 companies and other entities from different parts of China, including Hong Kong and Macao, are expected to attend the show," he said.

The exhibition will be divided into five sections, including sections for Chinese regions, famed brand names and service trade, and more than 30 industries will be represented, he added.

The famed brand names section will be occupying the largest area, with more than 80 Chinese companies registered for participation. These companies represent eight industries including energy, automobile, machinery, building materials, electronics and textile.

A number of economic and trade agreements are expected to be signed during the exhibition, Yu said.

Chinese and Russian leaders agreed to host the Year of China in Russia this year during President Hu Jintao's visit to Russia in July 2005. The Year of Russia was held in China last year.

Events covering a wide range of areas from politics and economy to science, culture and education, including some 10 events on the national scale, are planned for the Year of China in Russia.

(Xinhua News Agency February 28, 2007)