MORE than 8,000 dentists from around the globe are expected to show up at the opening ceremony of the World Dental Congress, the largest international convention to be held in Shenzhen, on Friday (Sep 22).

The ceremony will be held at the No. 2 Hall of the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center (CEC) at 7 p.m. Liang Daoxing, vice mayor of Shenzhen, said a party featuring traditional Chinese culture would be held at the ceremony. One of the programs at the party will be the well-known dance "Kwan-yin With 1,000 Hands."

The opening ceremony will be broadcast live by Shenzhen TV Channel 5.

During the four-day congress, about 90 well-known experts in dental care will give speeches, and 363 manufacturers from 35 countries and regions will exhibit their dental equipment and materials. Meanwhile, the dentists will discuss issues concerning dental health at their "parliament" and socialize.

The FDI (World Dental Federation) Annual World Dental Congress is the biggest academic meeting ever held in China, according to Luan Wenmin, vice president of the Chinese Stomatological Association. It is also the largest international convention Shenzhen has ever hosted.

In an earlier news conference, Luan said this year's congress will be the "best one" in the century-old history of the FDI.

Many members of the FDI arrived at the CEC on Thursday. "FDI is unique in that it combines science and politics," said Gerhard Konrad Seeberger, president of the Italian Dental Association, who, as a member of the "parliament," came to the CEC for preparatory meetings Thursday. In the city for the first time, Seeberger said he was deeply impressed by Shenzheners' busy life and the way they take care of their environment.

Carol Moreno from the United States, is looking forward to communicating with fellow female dentists at the congress. It is her first trip to Shenzhen, too. "The event is an academic exchange as well as a good break from my busy work," said Moreno, while asking for the locations of the shopping areas in the city.

The Shenzhen Municipal Government will hold a wine party for the congress participants from 7:35 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday at the Wuzhou Guest House. About 100 VIP members will be invited to the gathering.

Editor: Wing