A promotion conference of 2017 China Marine Economy Expo, an annual event that takes place in Zhanjiang, was held in Qingdao, Shandong province on Sept 20, aiming to lure more attendees from the northern parts of China.

The prosperous marine economy of Shandong helps the development of the booming marine enterprises and research institutions in the region. Since 2014, they have taken an active part in the expo to display the latest products, technologies and brands.

Their performance in marine science and technologies, equipment manufacturing, mariculture, bio-pharmaceuticals, transportation, food processing and new materials attracted extensive attention of the buyers and exhibitors at the expo.

More than 60 marine enterprises, research institutions and associations expressed their desire to attend the expo, hoping?to expand business and speed up the transformation of scientific and technological achievements.

As the only national comprehensive marine economy expo in China, the marine expo plays a significant role in the exchange and cooperation of marine economy, said Zhu Dezhou, deputy director of Publicity and Education Center of State Oceanic Administration.

Attaching great importance to the marine expo, the administration will give suggestions on its subject, exhibition, trade and cooperation, forum and conference, promotion and publicity. The release of the China Ocean Economic Development Index will also take place during the event.

According to Ou Xianwei, vice mayor of Zhanjiang, the exhibition hall of the expo will be divided into state and industry pavilions. Organized by State Oceanic Administration, the state pavilion will be used to display the planning, policies, latest achievements of marine science and technology in China.

Meanwhile, the industry pavilion will launch exhibitions on marine energy resources, engineering equipment, bio-pharmaceuticals, environmental protection, sea water desalinization, science and technology, port logistics, civil-military Integration and modern services.

Running from Dec 14 to 17, this year's marine expo is expected to receive more than 3,000 domestic and overseas enterprises and over 300,000 visitors. Buyers from Europe, America, South Asia and Middle East have aleady reached preliminary purchase intention.