It will be the first time China has held such an event, demonstrating that the country's family planning focus has turned more toward reproductive health than just population control and is beginning to pay more attention to people's individual needs, according to SFPC Vice Minister Zhang Yuqin.

The expo's theme is that population control depends on scientific and technological advances, and the research and cooperation should be encouraged. China should develop and spread new technology and products for reproductive health and open up the related industry, Zhang said.

Around 400 domestic and overseas research institutes, enterprises and international organizations will attend the expo. Lectures and symposiums will be included in the four-day event.

Zhang said that in the next 10 years, China will aim at keeping its population growth at a low level, improving the infant mortality rate and offering basic reproductive health care to people.

Meanwhile, SFPC and the State Drug Administration are framing standards and regulations concerning the sexually related products market in an attempt strengthen supervision and administration in the industry.

(People’s Daily 02/07/2001)