The preparations for the 15th Western China International Fair have been completed, said Wu Xiankui, Deputy Secretary General of the Sichuan provincial government, said in a press conference held in Beijing on Oct. 9.

The fair, which has adopted the theme"reform leads development, innovation starts the future,"will be held in Chengdu, the capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, from October 23 to November 3. France is the guest of honor at this year's fair, and Shaanxi Province holds the fair's rotating presidency.

According to Wu, organizers carefully planned a variety of high quality major events with huge potential influence, vivid themes and rich content using lower budget principles. 50 events related to investment promotion and trade cooperation will be held, which is less than half the number of events held last year. These events cover topics in investment, trade, science and technology, culture, education, finance and agriculture.

The Western China International Fair was first jointly sponsored in May 2000 by 16 national departments including the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Commerce, as well as 12 provinces (regions and municipalities) and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. The event is a state-class international expo gala organized by the Sichuan provincial government.