China Harbin International Economic and Trade Fair (Harbin Trade Fair) is set to highlight the practical Sino-Russia cooperation on economic, trade, and technology.

In light of Russia's accession into the World Trade Organization, the fair will facilitate more than 100 enterprises from 15 European countries to negotiate with Chinese counterparts.

Heilongjiang province Vice-governor Sun Yao gives the keynote speech on March 22, 2012, at a news conference for China Harbin International Economic and Trade Fair in Beijing. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

"The amount of booths to be taken by exhibitors from other countries this year doubled that of last year," Heilongjiang province Vice-governor Sun Yao said at a news conference on March 22 in Beijing.

The 23rd China Harbin International Economic and Trade Fair in Harbin city, capital of Heilongjiang province, will start on June 15 this year and end on June 19.

The Harbin Trade Fair consists of a variety of economic and trade events, including Russia Business Day and Sino-European Union Fair for Investment and Trade.

Harbinhas been holding the fair each year since 1990. At the past 22 fairs, more than $100 billion deals were sealed. Past fairs have seen more than 1.8 million exhibitors and visitors from more than 80 countries and regions.

"This year's fair will allow the exhibited goods to be offered tax-free for purchase at the end," said Sun.

Tourism year

The Russian counterpart of the fair will hold a ceremony for its coming China Tourism Year on Friday in Beijing.

The year of 2013 will be Russia's "China Tourism Year", and China's tourism sector themed this year as "Russia Tourism Year", according to the two countries' agreement.

"During the 10 day period before and after the fair, people entering and leaving China through Heilongjiang are 10 times or even 20 times more than that of usual days," Chen Dianyun, director general of the administration of the fair, told China Daily website reporter.

As of the end of 2011,Chinais now the top tour destination for Russian people.

"The amount of Russian tourists visiting China is three times that of Chinese visiting Russia," said Sun.

"I hope more Chinese people will travel to Russia to see the origin of ballet...and the origin of many well-known literatures," said Sun.