High tech fair kicks off in Shenzhen Thursday

The 19th China High-tech Fair (CHTF) will kick off in Shenzhen on Thursday, as enterprises and organizations from all across the world gather to showcase their latest technological achievements and seek business opportunities.

This year's event, themed, Innovation-driven Development & Supply Quality Upgrade, has attracted 3,049 exhibitors worldwide, who will bring 10,020 projects, organizers said.

Delegations from 35 countries, including 27 countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, and the European Union will participate in the event, as international businesses see it as a gateway to tap into the large Chinese market.

With an exhibition area of over 120,000 square meters, the annual technology feast will feature more than 200 events, including forums, salons and new product releases. It is expected to attract over 500,000 visitors from more than 80 countries and regions.

A startup pavilion will be set up for the first time, with the aim of helping small- and medium-sized enterprises grow, GAO Simon, deputy director and secretary-general of the CHTF organizing committee, said.

The expo will also become a platform for promoting technological development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, he added.

"Bay areas (around the world) have some common. First of all, they have strong innovation capability. Second, they have vast strategic hinterland. The Greater Bay Area has advantages in these two aspects," GAO said at the CHTF press conference on Wednesday.

"CHTF can play a significant role in linking the two."

Last year's event saw 3,533 exhibitors from 37 countries and regions, with the number of visitors reaching 589,000.

The 19th CHTF will end Tuesday.