Beijing Hosts Jewelry ExhibitionThe China Jewelry Exhibition 2001, jointly sponsored by the Gemological Association of China and the Ministry of Land and Resources, opened here Saturday.Nearly 100 enterprises from 20 provinces are exhibiting their products, including jade, pearls and gems. Gan Jing, deputy secretary-general of the Gemological Association of China, said the nation's expected entry into the WTO will compel its jewelry industry to face challenges from overseas, which will be significant for the development of famous Chinese brands. The exhibition provides a timely opportunity for Chinese enterprises to promote their brands, he noted. Chinese freshwater pearls are highlights of the exhibition, as the nation produces 90 percent of the world's freshwater pearls. Nearly 1,000 elaborate jade works are on show at the exhibition. China's jewelry industry has advanced by leaps and bounds in the past 20 years. Statistics show that the country's some 10,000 jewelry enterprises recorded total sales worth 10 billion U.S. dollars in 2000, in contrast to only 90 enterprises and a 12- million-US-dollar total output in 1980. |
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