MORE than 500,000 visitors were attracted to the 11th China Hi-Tech Fair that closed Saturday. Organizers said it was the biggest fair yet, attracting 3,023 exhibitors from a record of 49 countries, including Russia, Germany, Hungary and Finland. More than 15,180 projects were displayed at the fair.

"It is the biggest high-tech fair in history and we have achieved great success against the background of the financial crisis," said Shenzhen Acting Mayor Wang Rong.

High-tech environmental protection projects were among the most popular projects attracting investors. These included a Chinese gas company that has signed a contract worth 100 million Euros (US$150 million).

Meanwhile, fair organizers were planning to cooperate with Hong Kong to organize a fair in the SAR from next year, vice Mayor Chen Yingchun said Friday.

"We've already reached a preliminary agreement with Hong Kong and, if this can be settled, the exhibition may become the biggest fair in the world," said Chen.

The government was also planning to build a bigger exhibition center near Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport and the high-tech fair would be probably be held there after construction is completed, Chen said.

The organizers were also considering extending the fair to 10 p.m. each day from next year for those who were unable to attend during working hours, Chen said.

The Hi-Tech Fair was first held in Shenzhen in 1999 and the annual event is now the biggest and most influential science exhibition in China. It has become an important platform to show the latest technological achievements in China.

A total of 856 projects were signed during the fair and the contracted volume had increased by 7.39 percent compared with last year.

Source:Shenzhen Daily