Zhang, also vice-chairman and secretary-general of the organizing committee for the expo, said it will feature the themes of scientific and technological innovations, opportunities related to the Olympic Games and economic cooperation.

Sixteen forums and dozens of economic and trade talks will be arranged at the expo to take place at three separate venues in Beijing according to the three topics.

The expo will highlight China's high-tech industries that have been listed as key development tasks for the 10th Five-Year Plan period (2001-2005). Exhibits will include parts of China's "Shenzhou" spacecraft series and related models.

A combined floor space of 80,000 square meters will be available for exposition, 40 percent of which has been rented, said Zhang, adding that famous names including WTO Director General Supachai Panitchpakdi and CEOs of 14 multinational companies have promised to attend.

(Xinhua News Agency March 1, 2003)