China Water Expo 2010 was kicked off in Beijing on November 17, 2010. Vice Minister Hu Siyi attended opening ceremony. About 256 companies from 19 countries and regions presented at the exhibition. The vice minister delivered a speech and emphasized the importance of technical cooperation and expressed willingness of promoting cooperation between China and the rest of the World. Initiated in 2006, China Water Expo is the only large-scale professional expo in the water industry.