China will host the 2nd International Fruit and Vegetable Processing International Symposium from October 19 to 25 in Yantai, east China's coastal province of Shandong. The Symposium will become an annual event in Yantai.

"At the moment that China will enter the World Trade Organization (WTO), it is crucial for China to readjust its agricultural structure in order to be competitive and meet demands of home and overseas markets," said Shen Guofang, who is director of the Symposium and also the vice-president of the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

Shen said that more importance should be given to fruit and vegetable processing. China produces the most fruits and vegetables in the world, only a small proportion of them have been processed compared to 70 percent in developed countries. China held its first International Symposium and Exhibition on Fruit and Vegetable Processing Technology and Industrialization last October in Yantai.

The Symposium this year will consist of three parts: discussions about science and technology, products display and economic and trade negotiations. Two thousand participants are expected to attend the Symposium and discuss various issues related to "A Green Future".

Chen Yanming, vice-governor of Shandong Province, hopes the Symposium will help promote agriculture in the province and increase local and overseas cooperation.

Wang Dehe, vice-mayor of Yantai, said that by hosting the symposium, Yantai will serve as "an orchard and vegetable garden" for Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the Southeast Asia. Yantai, a coastal city in eastern part of Shandong Province, was one of the first 14 open cities designated by the State Council. It yields 2.6 million tons of fruits and 3.5 million tons of vegetables each year.