Agricultural development authorities will hold this year's technology fair to strengthen their push for the use of science in building up western China.

The annual event, called the Symposium on Western China's Agricultural Development and Scientific-Technological Achievements Exchange Fair, will take place from May 8 to 12 in Beijing.

The focus will be on science that can largely help develop the west - 10 provinces and three autonomous regions in inland China.

Sichuan, Shaanxi and Shanxi provinces, the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Regions and Chongqing Municipality have paid particular attention to the event.

The fair and symposium are co-hosted by the Beijing Municipal Scientific and Technological Commission, the Beijing Scientific and Technological Corporation and the Chinese Academy of Agriculture. The first event was in 1998. This year, organizers expect to see more than 60 research institutions and high-tech enterprises, including the Chinese Design and Research Academy of Agricultural Projects, the Chinese Academy of Forestry and the Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry. They also anticipate representatives from more than 30 universities and colleges, including Beijing University and Qinghua University.

Members of the organizing committee say at least eight lectures, mainly on high-tech agriculture, have been scheduled.