The Third China international urban rail transport expo, also known as Metro China 2004, will be held in Shanghai from June 16-18.

The expo will highlight different aspects of urban or regional rail transport, including advanced technologies and equipment related to rail transport, relevant fund-raising, construction and supervision, operation and computerized applications, said organizers.

Representatives from multinationals such as Alstom Siemens, Alcatel and ABB, as well as Chinese government officials will attend the expo which will be jointly held by four organizations such as China International Engineering Consultancy Company.

China has entered a period of fast growth by construction of urban rail transport infrastructure. During the 10th five-year- plan period (2001-2005) alone, the country's investment in construction of subways will total 200 billion yuan (US$24.1 billion) and the country will be added with 450 km of urban railway.

By the year of 2050, light railways and subways will total 2,000 km in China and 50 percent to 80 percent of the passenger flow will be transported by light railways and subways.