The ADB will hold more than 60 meetings during that period, including its annual meeting and a series of seminars and other meetings, said Yang Guoqiang, secretary-general of the preparatory office for ADB events in Shanghai.

According to Yang, 14 seminars will be held between May 8 and 9 on internationalization, regional cooperation and development. "

China will be the subject of a series of activities on May 9, which the ADB calls the 'Day for the People's Republic of China'", he said.

An exposition will be held at the same time as the ADB meetings to demonstrate China's cooperation with the ADB and the progress of some ADB-funded projects in Shanghai, said Yang, adding that Shanghai is ready to pull out all stops for the ADB event.

Bindu Lohani, a senior ADB official, praised Shanghai's superb preparations for the meetings during an advance tour here recently.

The event is expected to draw 3,000 guests from among ADB members as well as Chinese and foreign journalists. Some 500 volunteers and 100 coordinators will give service for the meetings.

The main venue for the annual meeting will be the Shanghai International Conference Center in the Pudong New District. The Shanghai International Media Center, located at the foot of the city's landmark building, the Shanghai Oriental Pearl TV Tower, will also be a venue.

Shanghai's two international airports at Pudong and Hongqiao will open special channels to facilitate the entry and exit of the delegates.

China has maintained close cooperation with the ADB since it joined the organization in 1986. Statistics provided by China's Ministry of Finance show the ADB had approved loans to China totaling 11.3 billion U.S. dollars and technical assistance grants amounting to 196 million U.S. dollars by the end of 2001.

ADB-funded projects in China now cover a wide range of sectors including agriculture, forestry, water conservation, infrastructure and the environment.

The ADB held its 22nd annual meeting in Beijing in May, 1989.

(Xinhua News Agency April 24, 2002)