As an annual event, the eighth session, which opened at the China International Exhibition Center yesterday, has become the largest venue for entrepreneurs to get a look at cutting-edge technology and see how it can take their businesses forward and change people's lives.

From Monday to Friday, nearly 60,000 square meters are being given over to eight specialized and five general exhibition zones. Hundreds of events will be held, including forums and conferences covering more than 40 topics.

The exhibition offers opportunities for businesses in various sectors, ranging from information technology to new energy, from autos to pharmaceutics, from environmental protection to intellectual property protection.

Statistics from the organizing committee revealed that there are more than 2,200 enterprises and institutions from 29 nations and regions displaying their products and technologies at the exhibition.

Domestic and foreign big names such as Nokia, Motorola, GE, LG, Haier and China Mobile will be at the show. Spokeswomen for the event Lu Xin said the latest digital technology and its strong connection with the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and people's lifestyles is one of the highlights of this year's exposition.

Li Leren, chairman of the board and CEO of Newcom Technology Co Ltd, said his company is bidding to provide transport system solutions and a digital logistics platform for the capital city and the Olympic Games.

The Beijing-based company has successfully developed and is currently operating China's only comprehensive intellectual transport system in Guangzhou, capital of South China's Guangdong Province.

"With this system, people can use one card to take buses and taxis, park cars, use public phones, and go shopping in chain stores such as 7-11 and McDonald's, while administrative departments can get hold of exact statistics at any time," said Li.

(China Daily May 24, 2005)