October 13, 2004
The annual China High-tech Fair, one of the nation's leading international high-tech events, opened in Shenzhen yesterday.
Approved by the State Council, the fair is jointly hosted by 10 government departments and institutions including the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Information Industry and the Shenzhen municipal government.
Vice-Premier Wu Yi and Minister of Commerce Bo Xilai presented the opening ceremony of the sixth session of the event which was first launched in 1999.
Wu pointed out that to push the development of the high-tech industry in China, the fair should be improved continuously.
Wu hoped that enterprises and science institutes from all over the world would actively take part in investing and developing the high-tech industry in China.
Wu said that China has taken a series of measures on intellectual property rights protection in a bid to create a sound environment for China's high-tech industrial development.
Also, international co-operation with countries worldwide will be enhanced to launch a crackdown on the violation of intellectual property rights.
This year, the fair's highlight is its brand-new exhibition venue with an exhibiting area of 135,500 square metres.
Daniel Hammang, a delegate with the US California Asian Delegation gave high praise for the venue, saying "I've attended many electronic shows around the world. And this one impressed me the most, given its international design and management."
Li Hongzhong, mayor of Shenzhen, said the event has developed into an important window on China's high-tech industry and will serve as the largest platform for the latest technological achievements from home and abroad.
The six-day event has attracted 21 delegations from abroad and 36 from domestic governments and institutions.
And 31 renowned universities and 44 multinational companies including Intel, Oracle, HP and Sanyo are participating in the fair to showcase their products in communication technologies, environmental technologies, bio-technologies and other new materials.
For Bruce Hueners, vice-president with US Palomar Technologies, he is looking for chances to tap the huge market in China.
"With years of rapid development, China has developed many high-tech companies that produce the most advanced and refined technological products. They need our machines," Hueners said.
"The communication and opportunities offered through the fair will greatly benefit our business. It also enhances the country's economy as it greatly raises the levels of technology."
In conjunction with the ongoing fair, a series of forums will be held, attracting ministers, university principals, and global CEOs.
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