- The Second China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industry Fair (ICIF), slated for May 18 and 21, will promote China's latest cultural products.

Xu Zongheng, mayor of south China's Shenzhen City, said on Tuesday this year's trade fair will be more market-oriented rather than just a showcase of products.

"The fair, therefore, is expected to become the largest export platform for China's cultural products," Xu said.

Covering a total area of 105,000 square meters, the fair will accommodate 4,500 booths.

Nine exhibition halls will feature products from the broadcast media, international performing arts, animation and gaming, Chinese publications, vocational education, creative design, arts and crafts. There will also be an exhibit on China's cultural industry achievements, according to Xu.

"We are expecting more than 20,000 professionals from home and abroad to attend the fair," Xu said.

So far, more than 1,000 cultural entities, from 26 cities in countries including the United States, France, Germany, Italy and Belgium, have signed up for the fair, Xu said.

The first ICIF, held in Nov. 2004, attracted more than 477,000 people from home and abroad. Deals worth of 3.14 billion yuan (393 million US dollars) covering more than 700 cultural investment projects were signed. Letters of intent worth more than 32.55 billion yuan (about 4 billion dollars) were also signed.

Source: Xinhua