>>>Special Report: 100th Canton Fair

(Foreign businessmen show delight when they meet again, in the 100th session of the Chinese Export Commodities Fair (CECF) in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province, Oct. 15, 2006. Photo: Xinhua)

Vice-Premier Wu Yi said on Sunday that the Chinese Export Commodities Fair (CECF) should play a bigger role in boosting imports by attracting more overseas enterprises and brand-name products to join the fair.

The 100th session of the CECF, which was the first exhibition to showcase Chinese products to the outside world, was opened on Sunday morning in Guangzhou, capital city of South China's Guangdong Province.

Wu Yi says the Chinese Export Commodities Fair will change its name to the Chinese Import and Export Commodities Fair as of its next session.

This will reflect how the fair will also become a major platform for imports to China, to achieve balance with exports, says Wu Yi.

China's export-oriented economic policy since the 1980s has resulted in huge trade surpluses and foreign exchange reserve.

Meanwhile, the government will also strengthen the protection of intellectual property rights in order to guarantee a fair trading environment, she added.

The CECF, also known as the Canton Fair, was initiated in 1957 when New China needed foreign currency to buy industrial equipment and materials from foreign countries. 
 

(Overseas purchasers crowd into the Bazhou exhibition hall during the 100th session of the Chinese Export Commodities Fair (CECF) in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province, Oct. 15, 2006. Photo: Xinhua)

Editor: Yan