A firework bursts over West Lake.

Hangzhou is boosting its local economy by playing host to thousands of international and domestic gatherings.

A total of 7,208 conferences were held in the city last year, a 19.2 percent increase from 2008. The number of exhibitions was down to 154, but total square meters of exhibits rose to nearly 1.4 million.

The West Lake International Expo alone contributed 0.5 percent to Hangzhou's GDP growth, attracting nearly 13 million visitors and yielding a trade volume in excess of 13.8 billion yuan.

Other popular area gatherings include the China International Cartoon and Animation Festival, agricultural exposition, motor show, Internet trade fair and Hangzhou fireworks festival.

Held on the West Lake and the Grand Canal, the fireworks drew more than 1.5 million spectators last year.

A number of exhibitions highlight the city's emerging high-tech sectors, including the China Cultural & Creative Industry Expo, the Hangzhou International Electronics and Information Fair and the China International Leisure Industry Expo.

Emphasis is placed on local growth and consumption, as well as tourism promotion.

Special events this year included the Optimal Environment for Human Residence expo, the Hangzhou Leisure and Shopping festival and the Hangzhou West Lake International Expo Tourism festival.

The city is seeking global partners. As a member of the International Congress and Convention Association, Hangzhou has established close ties with many foreign consulates in Shanghai.

Hangzhou has also partnered with nearby Jiaxing, Huzhou and Shaoxing to conduct conventions.

Currently, several exhibition venues have been upgraded or are under construction. An international exposition center broke ground last September, and will have 800,000 sq m of floor space.

Hangzhou's conventions, exhibitions and festivals are operated by more than 300 professional companies.

By Zhang Zhao (China Daily)

(China Daily 09/27/2010 page22)