Liu Shanzai, member of the Overseas Chinese Committee of the National People's Congress, as well as vice-director of the fair, yesterday hoped more Chinese companies and manufacturers would participate in the procurement service of the United Nations (UN) through the platform provided by China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair).

Liu expressed hope at his meeting with the Director of the UN Procurement Section Headquarters - Yavar Khan - in Guangzhou's Pazhou International Convention and Exhibition Center, where Canton Fair's 101st session is currently being held.

Liu, former Vice-Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, yesterday urged domestic companies to seize every opportunity to participate in high-grade business events organized by the UN in the ensuing months. Liu also introduced the 50-year-old Canton Fair, the biggest trade event of the country, to Khan in the hope of expanding trade cooperation with the UN.

Khan greatly praised the role played by Canton Fair in boosting the country's foreign trade and also its great achievements over the past years. Khan also expressed his admiration of Chinese companies'strength and their quality products, saying that Chinese products have a competitive edge in the global market.

Wang Runsheng, deputy director and also deputy secretary general of the Organizing Committee of Canton Fair, along with other senior Chinese trade officials, accompanied Liu in his meeting with Khan and his delegation yesterday. The UN procurement chief visited the fair accompanied by Chinese trade officials.

Aim for the best

Liu arrived at the exhibition halls of Canton Fair in Liuhua Road to meet Chinese business representatives yesterday afternoon. The exhibits here mainly consist of garments, medicines, genuine leather items, shoes, sweaters, artwork, textiles and silks.

He urged Chinese manufacturers to produce more new high-tech and high-value-added products. He hoped domestic companies can sell more quality products abroad during the biannual fair that began on Sunday.

He also encouraged Chinese companies and manufacturers to introduce more scientific and technological expertise to help increase their products' value and build their own brand names and reputations in the coming years.

Domestic firms should pay special heed to building their own enterprise culture, protecting intellectual property rights and avoiding any piracy and infringement, Liu asserted.

In particular, great care needs to be taken to produce traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) using modern techniques and further improve their quality. "TCM is the quintessence of Chinese culture," Liu said, adding that he believes TCM has great marketing potential in the international arena.