The ninth CNEA Expo launched its preparatory work on Jan 22 according to the secretariat of the expo. The expo aims to build an economic, practical and effective national and international comprehensive exhibition.

The preparatory work faces challenges brought by this year's complicated economic situation. The expo has entered a new phase since it was renamed the China-Northeast Asia Expo last year. It has become a national platform for pushing forward collaboration among Northeast Asia countries and regions rather than a provincial or Northeast China event. The expo will promote the China-Japan-South Korea Free Trade Area negotiations, revitalize the Northeast China Industry Base and create more space for development of the expo.

The expo this year will continue to host activities including the China International Sourcing Fair, Investment Cooperation Seminar of the China-Northeast Asia Expo, Ten Key Industries Partnering Symposium, Euro-China Business Meeting (2013 Jilin) and Northeast Asia Countries Business Day. It also will hold new events such as the first Global Service Trade Conference, APEC SME Summit and investment cooperation activities. The expo will put effort into attracting high quality exhibitors as well as targeting Fortune Global 500 companies, multinational corporations and other famous enterprises from Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, Europe and the United States. It hopes to achieve a 50 percent reservation of international exhibition booths.

The expo will also launch the seventh Northeast Cooperation High-Level Forum. The forum will invite national departments and famous international institutions to discuss regional cooperation among Northeast Asia countries and economic cooperation between Northeast Asia and the world. Focusing on trade facilitation, key industries collaboration and infrastructure construction, the forum expects Northeast Asian countries to sign a memorandum or joint declaration.

This year, the expo will maintain last year's Hong Kong Merchandise Hall, Taiwan Merchandise Hall, Investment Cooperation Hall, and Food and Medicine Hall. It will set up the Northeast China Industrial Base Vitalization Hall, Northeast Asia Countries Hall, and Modern Service and Industry Hall. It will display large machines in the outdoor exhibition area. It will use LED screens, light boxes and other high-tech techniques to arrange exhibitions.

The expo is expected to welcome 100,000 participants including 10,000 oversee guests, 100 senior executives from Fortune Global 500 enterprises and large transnational corporations, 100 senior executives from China's top 500 private enterprises, 100 famous buyers, 100 financial investment institutions, 100 famous chambers of commerce and associations, and 120 of China's top 500 enterprises. It will also invite domestic delegations from 25 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions.

The secretariat of the ninth CNEA Expo will supervise the work of each department and resolve any problems.