GREATER international participation is now one of the features of the China Hi-tech Fair.

　　This year's fair will have more international content promoted by China's WTO entry and healthy and sustainable domestic economic development.

　　According to Wang Jiansu of the China Hi-tech Transfer Center, the local government started the promotion for this year's fair last November, shortly after the 3rd hi-tech fair closed.

　　Headed by Vice Mayor Guo Rongjun, a delegation was organized at the time to promote the fair in Europe and invited exhibitors from Britain, France and Germany.

　　The Organizing Committee of the China Hi-tech Fair also contacted 12 head offices of multinationals in Beijing.

　　In Shanghai, seven international companies showed strong interest in the fair. At the same time, the organizing committee invited some small and medium-sized overseas companies to attend the IT, Biotech, advanced materials and agro-tech exhibitions.

　　In cooperation with renowned exhibition companies overseas, this year's fair will establish a professional service system based on international practice. According to the organizing committee, over 140 overseas enterprises including LG, Intel, Sony, Epson and Canon had registered and booked exhibition booths.

　　Some enterprises from Germany, Korea Switzerland and Canada will take part in the Bio-tech exhibition.  Fifteen countries including Canada, Russia, the U.S. and EU countries had booked a total exhibition space of 1,200sq m.

　　As a bridge to exchange information with the world, organizers have invited 18 renowned scientists, prominent entrepreneurs and important government officials from 10 countries to address the 10 sessions covering two themes, Hi-tech and Economic Development and the Future Information Technology.

　　As a platform for exchanges of cutting edge technology, this year's forum has invited Professor James Mirrlees of the University of Cambridge, the 1996 Economics Nobel Laureate, and Professor Alan G. MacDiarmid of the University of Pennsylvania, U.S., the 2000 Chemistry Nobel Laureate, to give lectures.

　　Derek Williams, executive vice president of Oracle Corporation, J. Stephen Putnam, president of Raymond James Financial Inc. and Christopher St. john, senior vice president of MSC Software Corporation, U.S. have also been invited.