(Yicai Global) Nov. 2 -- Shanghai National Exhibition and Convention center will host the first China International Import Expo from Nov. 5 through Nov. 10, 2018, Fu Ziying, international trade negotiator and vice minister of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, said at a press briefing today.

Chinese President Xi Jinping announced at the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in May that China would hold the event, beginning next year.

The expo will cover 240,000 square meters and comprise a National Trade and Investment Fair and an Enterprise and Business Exhibition, Fu said.

The National Trade and Investment Fair aims to provide an open international cooperation platform for presenting national developments to other countries around the world and for deepening international economic and trade cooperation. Countries and regions will be invited to participate at the event to showcase their achievements in trade and investment, including goods, services, industries, and unique products. The pavilion will be exclusively reserved for national demonstrations, not for business transactions.

The Enterprise and Business Exhibition will comprise two sections, goods and services. Overseas firms will be invited to strike trade deals across six exhibition areas: high-end intelligent equipment; consumer electronics and appliances; automotive; apparel, accessories and consumer goods; food and agricultural products and medical equipment and medical care products.

The section for services trade will comprise exhibitions for emerging technologies, outsourcing, creative design, culture and education, and tourism services.

"We have sent invitations to more than 200 trading partners and invited exhibitors from all over the world to participate," Fu said. "More than 100 countries and regions are expected to join."