China to launch world's largest exhibition complex in 2015

Beijing: China is building a $2.4 billion exhibition complex in Shanghai which is expected to be the world's largest upon completion next year.

The National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai, expected to be completed in March 2015, is set to host it's first exhibition as a trial run from Sunday.

The National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) features an investment of 15 billion yuan ($2.4 billion) and has 500,000 square metres of space for exhibitions, 180,000 square metres for offices and conferences and 150,000 square metres for business, according to its operator Shanghai Expo Company Limited.

The China International Auto Products Expo, formerly held in Beijing, will open tomorrow in the new venue's northern area which covers 250,000 square metres, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

The center, jointly built by the Ministry of Commerce and the Shanghai municipal government, will provide impetus to build Shanghai into a world centre for international trade and exhibitions, said Shang Yuying, head of the Shanghai municipal commerce commission.