BEIJING, June 8 (Xinhua) -- The 20th China Beijing International High-tech Expo (CHITEC) opened Thursday, with latest homegrown technology in space exploration, aircraft, and information technology on display.
Covering 45,000 square meters, the expo consists of 13 display areas, in which more than 1,400 enterprises, universities and research institutions exhibit technology and products ranging from companion robots to a pocket selfie drone and a 3D chocolate printer.
The expo has been held each year in Beijing since 1998. It was initially designed to expose China to advanced technology from around the world. Foreign companies were the stars of the show in its early years.
But Chinese companies and research institutions are showing their mettle, as increased spending in research and development shows that innovation is a crucial source of sustainable growth.
More than 20 international organizations and foreign delegations will attend the exhibition.
The expo is being held in China International Exhibition Center and will last till Saturday.
It was not the first time Zhang Kezhong, a retired Beijing-based engineer, has visit the exhibition.
"I feel proud more homegrown Chinese high-tech products in the expo in recent years," said Zhang.