The 94th China Guangzhou export commodities fair, slated to be held from Oct. 15 to 30, is expected to attract more than 300,000 visitors, a record high, said an organizing official on Friday.

The number of participating domestic business people will amount to approximately 200,000, said Chen Yaoguang, vice-chairmanof the organizing committee for the 94th China Guangzhou export commodities fair.

Chen, also secretary-general for the municipal government of Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong in south China, disclosed thata group of specialists led by Vice-Minister of Public Health Ma Xiaowei would be stationed at the fair, with the sole purpose of safeguarding the security of health of participating businespeople.

Local health departments have worked out detailed plans regarding health guarantee. For instance, all trading halls are installed with portable or stationary infrared ray temperature devices to monitor changes in temperature of every people getting in or out of the fair's different venues.

In the meantime, local health departments will also dispatch medical teams to stay at the venues of the fair and various hotels,and launch systems for disease reporting and emergencies.

The Guangdong Provincial Administration for Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine pledged that they would resume temperature taking among in- or out-bound travelers when the fair is on, and demand every traveler to present an entry-exit health reporting card and to have his or her temperature taken on the spot.

Guangdong province is one of the worst hit areas by the fatal epidemic of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) that wentrampant in the country at times from last November to June this year.

(Xinhua News Agency October 4, 2003)