China's largest international trade fair opened in Guangzhou on Monday, with organizers expecting an increase in the number of exhibiters from overseas.

The 102nd China Import and Export Commodities Fair, commonly known as the Canton Fair, has attracted a total of 15,054 businesses, including 480 overseas companies from 57 countries and regions.

The event will last until October 30.

"A total of 849 booths have been set up for overseas businesses, 220 more than the previous fair in April," Xu Bing, spokesman for the fair, said.

In previous years, the biannual trade fair was used as a means to promote China's export trade but in April companies from overseas were invited to display their wares for the first time.

It was seen as a move to show the world China's efforts to increase imports and reduce its yawning trade surplus, which has triggered trade disputes with other countries.

"More than 6,000 domestic corporate buyers will attend the fair," Xu said, "and we have set up 32,000 booths in two exhibition halls covering 635,000 square meters."

(Xinhua News Agency October 15, 2007)