The success of the '99 World Horticulture Expo, which ended November 1 in Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province, has demonstrated China's competence for hosting top world conferences, according to analysts.

The expo, participated in by 95 countries and international organizations, has received nearly 10 million visitors since it opened on May 1.

Experts say the six-month expo has shown the country's high efficiency in organization and administration.

Actually, China has accumulated experience by hosting a series of international meetings over the past decade, including the Fourth World Conference on Women, the 96th Congress of the Inter- Parliamentary Union, and the 22nd Meeting of the Universal Postal Union.

To ensure the success of this event, both the central government and the Yunnan provincial people's government attached great importance to organizing the exposition.

A total of 20 billion yuan was used to improve infrastructure facilities in the province, and investment in the expo gardens alone amounted to two billion yuan.

"We're willing to invest in world meetings like this expo because they may help us gain recognition and develop the local economy," said Yunnan Provincial Governor Li Jiating.

This huge investment has demonstrated China's economic strength resulting from the reform and opening drive over the last two decades, analysts say.

All the other provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions of the country have contributed to the expo as well, and analysts say such joint efforts are impossible in many other countries.

It is also the first time China has held a major international event in accordance with market economic operations, demonstrating that the country is now familiar with the procedures of international conferences, according to experts.

As one of the most attractive markets in the world, a major reason many international organizations have chosen China for their meetings, the country will play an even larger role in the world economy, experts say.

Shao Qiwei, secretary general of the expo's organizing committee, said that China's rising international status and its growing political, economic and diplomatic influence are also favorable conditions for the country to hold international conferences.

"All participants will benefit from international conferences which meet in China," Shao said.

Beijing Vice Mayor Liu Aimin said now that Yunnan, an underdeveloped area in China, has managed to make an international conference a success, relatively developed areas like Beijing and Shanghai can do even better.

He said that his municipality is now preparing to host several international meetings in the coming century. (Xinhua)