The 100th China Export Commodities Fair, scheduled to begin next Sunday, will exceed a record 31,000 booths.

The number of exhibitors was estimated at between 170,000 and 200,000, said Xu Bing, spokesman of the China Export Commodities Fair.

"The exact statistics will be finalized and published by Friday afternoon," said Xu.

The fair, a biannual event held in spring and autumn, has been a weather vane of the country's foreign trade since its inauguration 50 years ago. Manufactured goods, textiles and garments, foodstuffs and medicines are on display during the first stage of the fair, which runs from Oct. 15 to 20. In the second stage, from Oct 25 to 30, souvenirs and gifts, and household commodities will be exhibited.

The 99th fair in April netted a record US$32.2 billion in business deals, up 9.5 percent over the previous session.

The 12-day fair attracted more than 190,000 people from 211 countries and regions.

Business people from the European Union spent US$10.6 billion, those from the United States signed deals worth US$4.7 billion, and buyers from the Middle East bought US$4.28 billion worth of goods.

(Xinhua News Agency October 9, 2006)