Premier Zhu Rongji has opened the mainland's first state-level high-technology fair, according to a report. Mr Zhu urged the rapid development of the country's hi-tech industries in a speech at the opening ceremony last night, Xinhua news agency said. The four-day fair is expected to showcase some of the country's most advanced hi-tech developments and promising companies. Analysts said Mr Zhu's presence highlighted the significance Beijing has attached to the growth of the hi-tech sector and also reinforces Shenzhen's status as the country's leading promoter of hi-tech industries. Shenzhen Mayor Li Zibin yesterday said that 31 mainland provinces had sent delegations to the fair as well as 27 delegations from universities in the mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan. He said 26 foreign countries, including the United States, Germany, and Japan had also sent delegations to the fair. A total of 2,856 hi-tech firms including 2,579 domestic and 277 foreign ones would participate, offering up to 15,000 projects for co-operation. He said up to 995 venture investors had been invited. China Hi-Tech Fair is sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Co-operation, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Information Industry, the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Shenzhen municipal government. FAIRS