A Chinese visitor poses with two Russian models during the China Harbin International Economic and Trade Fair last year. Wang Jianwei / Xinhua

The 24th China Harbin International Economic and Trade Fair will feature a record number of countries and attendees, said Heilongjiang Vice-Governor Sun Yao.

Enterprises from more than 60 of the 83 states in the Russian Federation have confirmed their attendance at the event, which will be held from June 15 to 19, in Harbin, capital of Heilongjiang province.

Their presence indicates Russia's strong desire to boost trade and investment with China, officials noted.

As a supplement to the activities of the China Tourism Year in Russia, the fair will feature a Russian oil painting exhibition, and a painting summit will be held during the fair, which can help promote communication and cooperation in culture and tourism between the two nations.

Now Russia is the third-largest source of inbound tourists to China, while China ranks the second in the Russian tourism market. In 2012, 3.3 million people traveled between China and Russia, more than half of which entered or exited through Heilongjiang.

"Cultivating tourism cooperation will become a new highlight of Sino-Russian strategic cooperation," Sun said.

In addition to strengthening trade with Russia, the event will focus on building an international platform for the whole world, he said.

The fair will arrange a series of activities for Europe, the United States, Africa, Asia and Oceania in an effort to build an international platform for the whole world.

In addition, the trade gala is naming a country as the guest of honor for the first time. Thailand was selected because the Southeast Asian nation will host a high-level national exhibition, the first of its kind in the event's history.

Thai business groups have participated in the fair twice and showed great enthusiasm for the business opportunities it provides.

This year, they reserved 100 booths - 70 more than last year.

Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, South Korea, Australia, Belgium, Germany, Romania and the Ukraine will also join the fair.

The total area of the fair will reach 128,000 square meters, and it will feature various exhibition areas, including modern agriculture, new and advanced technology, electromechanical equipment, provincial enterprises, and culture and tourism.

Contact the writers at tianxuefei@chinadaily.com.cn and zhouhuiying@chinadaily.com.cn

Russian visitors flock to the Diaoshuilou waterfall in the Jingbo Lake, Heilongjiang province. More tourists are expected to come to China during Russia's China Tourism Year in 2013. Zhang Yan'hui / Xinhua

A beverage exhibition booth of last year's China Harbin International Economic and Trade Fair attracted professional buyers. Qiu Qilong / for China Daily

(China Daily 04/24/2013 page10)