The Second China International Equipment Manufacturing Exposition (CIEME) was kicked off on Friday in Shenyang, capital of Northeast China's Liaoning Province.

"The CIEME will help update China's equipment manufacturing industry, and boost the development of Northeast China, the country's traditional manufacturing base,'' said Vice-Minister of Commerce Wei Jianguo at the opening ceremony.

With the theme of "Equipment Manufacturing and High Technology,'' the expo offers a platform for trade and co-operation between domestic and foreign equipment manufacturing businesses.

The six-day event displays advanced technologies and equipment from around the world in such fields as mechanical processing, computer applications, packaging, food processing and petrochemical machinery.

In addition to product displays, several forums focusing on development of equipment manufacturing industry and project promotion activities will be staged during the fair.

Co-organized by the Ministry of Commerce, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade and the government of Liaoning Province, the fair involves the participation of 732 enterprises, including 234 foreign-funded firms and overseas companies from 21 countries and regions such as South Korea, Japan, the United States and Germany.

Specialist visitors from home and abroad are expected to exceed 60,000 in number at this year's CIEME.

(China Daily September 6, 2003)