Vice Premier Huang Ju attended the opening, while Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan sent a congratulatory letter to the five-day event.

In the letter, Zeng called on the fair's organizers to develop the event into a name brand exhibition on the international stage.

He said the fair should be an important stage for China to conduct scientific and technological exchanges and expand trade and economic cooperation with other countries and regions.

It should also contribute to improving China's industrial structure and changing the country's economic growth pattern.

Solar batteries, digital machine tools, sewage treatment equipment and power-generating facilities will be displayed at the fair, which will conclude on Sunday.

China first initiated the Shanghai International Industry Fair in 1999 and its name was changed this year with the approval of the State Council, China's highest governing body.

The fair was co-sponsored by the National Development and Reform Commission, the ministries of commerce, science and technology, information industry, education, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade and the Shanghai municipal government.

Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng, Minister of Science and Technology Xu Guanhua and other government officials attended the opening ceremony.