Officials from more than 400 enterprises in 17 countries and regions gathered yesterday in this coastal city in East China's Shandong Province to display the latest maritime developments.
The four-day China International Marine Fair opened yesterday, and is jointly sponsored by six State-level departments and the Qingdao municipal government.
It is aimed at enhancing international exchanges and cooperation on international navigation and ship-making, and promoting the country's development in these fields.
More than 70 overseas enterprises participated in the show, including multinationals from Denmark, the United Kingdom, the United States and Japan.
All of China's top ocean transportation groups and ship-makers showed off their latest technologies as well.
Coinciding with the fair is the China International Ocean Technology Exhibit and China International Facilities Show for Waterborne Sports and Entertainment.
More than 600 projects are on display at the ocean technology fair.
An exhibit area of 300 square meters (359 square yards) at the marine fair is dedicated to design plans for waterborne sports at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
(China Daily July 16, 2002)