The 17th China Beijing International High-Tech Expo (CHITEC) will be held from May 13 to 18 in Beijing, said Liu Yang, deputy director of the organizing committee and vice chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade in Beijing at a press conference in the city on April 29.

This year’s CHITEC will focus on pursuing development driven by innovation and integration and serve as a window to display the impact of scientific innovation on the economy and society and a communication platform for advanced ideas. It also aims to help promote business opportunities among participants.

The opening ceremony at the Hall of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference on May 13 will raise the curtain on the expo. Keynote speeches at the grand ceremony will be made by high-profile representatives from the United Nations and State Oceanic Administration, as well as academicians from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engineering.

Their discussions will cover a wide range of topics, such as the role of finance in scientific innovation and marine science and technology for the country’s ocean development strategy.

There are various activities during the six-day event, such as exhibitions, promotions for projects, forums and conferences. The organizing committee will host seven summits on a group of hot topics, including finance, energy strategy, the circular economy and smart cities, as well as 12 promotion activities for cooperation projects.

More than 200 foreign and domestic enterprises and institutions will participate in CHITEC, added Liu Yang