Themed "Innovative, Smart, Green", this year's China International Industry Fair (CIIF) in Shanghai focuses on the Made in China 2025 strategy, which aims to comprehensively upgrade the Chinese manufacturing industry by boosting the development of smart, green and service-oriented products.

The CIIF, which started on Nov 7 and ends on Nov 11, is one of China's most prominent platforms for promoting industrialization and the adoption of information technology.

The event this year features a wide variety of innovations in areas including metal working, environmental protection technology, robots and new energy vehicles.

This year's fair is the largest in its 19-year history, taking up a space of 280,000 square meters at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai.

The event features 2,562 exhibitors from 28 nations and regions, and is expected to draw more than 160,000 visitors.

Chinese air-conditioner maker Gree is exhibiting several new types of industrial robots that they said can manage heavy loads quickly and reliably over many hours, allowing businesses to run 24-hour automated factories. Industrial robots that can throw basketballs into hoops and play the piano are also on display.

SAIC Motor Corp Ltd, the largest listed auto company on China's A-share market, is showcasing its Internet-connected Roewe electric car that can travel up to 425 kilometers on a single charge.

Other innovative products include a system that uses chicken bile to generate power through biotransformation and a device that transmits sound from the teeth to the ear through vibrations.

A special artificial intelligence (AI) area has also been added for the first time at this year's exhibition.

Industry and Information Technology Minister Miao Wei said that he expects CIIF to become a better communication and collaboration platform for internationalization, opening-up and innovation in the coming years.

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(China Daily USA 11/10/2017 page9)