The China Mining Congress and Expo (CMCE) is the largest of its kind in Asia and one of the world's top-four mining events.

It is also a showcase of China's efforts to improve the investment climate in the mining industry.

An outgrowth of seminars dating back to 1999, the CMCE is organized annually by the Ministry of Land and Resources, the Ministry of Commerce and the National Development and Reform Commission.

Timeline

1999: The first International Seminar on China's Mining Legislation, the predecessor of the CMCE, was held in Dalian, Northeast China's Liaoning province.

The seminar attracted more than 170 delegates from 10 countries including the US, Canada and Australia, who discussed China's mining legislation and how the nation can improve its investment climate.

2000: The International Seminar on China's Mining Investment and West Development was held in Urumqi.

About 120 participants from home and abroad discussed about development of the mining industry in western China and overall investment policies.

With the World Bank as an organizer for the first time, the event offered solutions to improve the investment climate and promoted international cooperation.

2001: The China Mining International Seminar was held in Xi'an, capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi province.

Nearly 200 delegates discussed issues including the WTO's impact on China's mining industry, sustainable development in mining and making geological data public.

Wen Jiabao, then vice premier, met high-ranking officials from abroad attending the event.

2002: The China Mining International Seminar in Chongqing attracted more than 200 delegates from 16 countries and regions to discuss the challenges in China's mining industry after the nation became a member of the WTO.

Before the seminar, a meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Mining Task Force was held in China for the first time.

2003: The China Mining International Seminar in Kunming, capital of Southwest China's Yunnan province, attracted more than 300 participants from 14 countries and regions.

The seminar focused on attracting investment in China's mining industry, including amendments to the mineral resources law and approval procedures for investment in the mining industry from overseas.

High-ranking energy officials from Laos, Indonesia and other Southeast Asian nations were also invited to the event.

2004: China Mining 2004 was held in Beijing, attended by more than 1,400 delegates including the natural resources ministers of Cote d'Ivoire, Angola, South Africa and Canada.

Forums at the event encouraged technological exchanges and cooperation among nations and mining enterprises.

2005: The CMCE was held in Beijing to enhance cooperation and mutual benefits.

More than 1,600 delegates from over 20 countries and regions took part in the conferences and exhibitions.

Forums were held on China's mining policies, the global materials market, mining technologies and mining safety.

2006: The CMCE, again held in Beijing, attracted more than 2,000 delegates from over 20 countries and regions, including the natural resources ministers of Mongolia, Myanmar, South Africa and Canada.

Nearly 30 forums were held on a wide range of themes including the outlook for the global market, mining investment, technology and risk management.

2007: The CMCE grew to more than 3,000 delegates when it opened for its session in Beijing. Government officials, mining executives and professionals from 45 countries and regions attended.

More than 50 media outlets covered the event.

2008: More than 3,200 delegates from 49 countries and regions attended the CMCE in Beijing along with more than 90 media outlets from around the world.

More than 20 seminars and forums were held in the event, with more than 400 booths set in the exhibition.

2009: The CMCE 2009 was held in Tianjin and hosted about 3,500 delegates, including government officials, mining enterprises and service providers from 55 countries and regions.

Vice-Premier Li Keqiang sent message to the event.

By Zhang Zhao (China Daily)

(China Daily 11/16/2010 page6)