More than 70 percent of exhibitors for the Sixth China Hi-Tech Fair had finished decorating their exhibition booths at the Shenzhen International Convention and Exhibition Center in Futian District by Thursday (Otc 7).

"Although we have been confronted with more difficulties than at previous fairs, everything has been in order so far," said Chen Beifang, vice general manager of the customer service department of China Hi-Tech Fair Exhibition Center.

Admission is 50 yuan (US$6). Foreign visitors need to take passports to buy tickets. Further booking information is available on 961-202 and 2519-8888.

Chen said more than 100 provincial or ministerial officials would attend the opening ceremony of the Oct. 12-17 fair.

There will be about 1,150 exhibitors in the eight exhibition halls at the new venue, which covers an area of 97,500 square meters.

The old high-tech fair center will become the venue for a high-tech talent fair offering about 10,000 job vacancies.

There will be an information desk at each exhibition hall to help with inquiries.

Refreshments will be supplied by a number of cafes as well as Western and Chinese fast-food chains such as the Mcdonald's, Kentucky, Miandianwang ("Noodle and Desert King") and Yonghe. A Muslim restaurant outlet will also be available.

The new fair venue will be closed off at 10 a.m. Monday for a complete inspection of security, fire safety, water and electricity safeguards, among other things.

Some 57 bus routes will service the new exhibition center, involving 1,668 buses. During the fair opening, another 16 bus routes, including nine full-size buses, thee mini buses and four express buses, will be available with the number of temporary shuttle buses to reach 145. The municipal bureau of communications will also arrange 50 buses, 105 limousines and more than 10 air-conditioned mini buses.