Visitors gather round the Hongqi car model at a previous sessions of the auto expo. [Photo/Jilin news network]

The 18th China Changchun International Auto Expo is set to be held in Changchun, capital of Northeast China's Jilin province, on July 9-18, according to local media reports.

It is estimated that the exhibition area of the main venue will exceed 200,000 square meters, with 1,400 vehicles on display.

Initiated in 1999, the expo has been held 17 times and has developed into one of China's five major auto shows.

It is regarded as an important platform for international automobile companies to launch new cars and technologies, showcase their brands and sell vehicles.

Visitors try new car models at a previous session. [Photo/CFP]

This year's session will boast one main venue and two branch venues.

The main venue will be set up at Changchun International Convention and Exhibition Center, with nine exhibition halls in total, including a cultural event experience hall, an international luxury car exhibition hall, and a hall for FAW Group brand vehicles.

Four exhibition areas will be set up in the outdoor space  – a commercial vehicles and special vehicles exhibition area, an automobile aftermarket exhibition area, an automobile sale exhibition area, and a second-hand car trading exhibition area.

The two branch venues will be located in the Lianhua Mountain Eco-tourism Resort and the second-hand car market on Kaixuan Road of the city.

During the exhibition, a series of events will be held, including a national conference for the automobile industry, launch ceremonies for new car models, recreational vehicle camps, and automobile model competitions.