Some 60 Chinese companies on Monday began exhibiting their products at a Chinese fair of merchandises in Iquique, a city in Northern Chile.

The event "opens up China to South America, and also opens up China to the US and Europe, because from now on business is going to be ever easier," Iquique mayor Jorge Soria said.

Soria also said the fair is an important event in the region and a great opportunity for businessmen and consumers to see the state of the art in Chinese technology.

Businessmen from Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile and Paraguay have already registered to attend the exposition, which will run through Sunday.

The fair exhibits Chinese products of telecommunication, electronic, transportation and textiles.

(Xinhua News Agency November 15, 2005)