Shanghai vows to focus on high-tech projects in its cooperation with and development of China's western regions, an official from the Shanghai Scientific Research Committee said at the seventh Eastern-Western Cooperation, Investment and Trade Fair opening on April 8 in Xi'an.

Shanghai has taken part in all six fairs since the start of the event in 1997, and sees continuous growth in the numbers of participating companies, project contracts, and trade volume.

All together 3.5 billion yuan (US$421 million) in products was traded during the previous six fairs, and 238 project contracts with total investment of 2.6 billion yuan (US$313 million) were signed.

The Shanghai Scientific Research Committee has also reached agreements on more than 700 research cooperation projects with provinces in China's western region. The committee also offers training to regional government officials in charge of scientific research in the region.