More than 400 representatives from about 70 countries on Thursday gathered in Beijing for the 73rd session of the Union of International Fairs (UFI), the first time the event has been held in the Chinese capital.

In a congratulatory letter to the meeting, Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi said, "The meeting will exert a vital impact on the development of the Chinese exhibition industry."

Luo Haocai, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, China's top advisory body, said in a speech at the opening session that the meeting offered the Chinese exhibition industry a great chance to learn from foreign countries.

The meeting runs from Nov. 8 to Nov. 11 in Beijing.

The UFI is the union of the world's leading trade fair organizers and the major associations of the exhibition industry.

Source: Xinhua