In response to the central government's call to expand the service sector to maintain sustainable growth, authorities in Xiamen have pledged to build a strong convention and exhibition sector.

Acting as a regional business hub in southern China for many years, Xiamen is well-placed for its convention and exhibition industry to mature.

To achieve the goal, city officials outlined a development plan on Feb 26, citing Xiamen's newly-established free trade zone as a benchmark of the strategy.

A well-regulated convention and exhibition industry is expected to emerge in Xiamen by 2018 according to the guidelines, with diversified suppliers being established to cater to international clients.

By 2018, the city will have 2.7 million square meters dedicated to exhibition space and the capacity to receive 2.1 million conference-goers from outside the city. The convention and exhibition industry is estimated to generate a 47 billion yuan in 2018.

The guidelines also envision the city to have 3.1 million square meters of exhibition space by 2020 and have a 2.7 million visitor capacity. The convention and exhibition industry will be a 60 billion yuan business ($9.2 billion) by then, according to the guidelines, and the industry-cluster that combines convention and exhibitions, tourism, logistics and trade will grow into a 170 billion yuan per year business.

Xiamen's convention and exhibition industry has already birthed a few famous events, including the international boat show, Cross-Strait book fair, Buddhist crafts fair, stone and stone machinery fair and the China International Fair for Investment & Trade. The city hopes to maintain and increase the industry's global competitiveness by hosting more top events and fostering famous event brands.

To fulfill the goals stated in the guidelines, industry players should closely follow the national strategy for industrial upgrade and focus on globalization, specialization and marketization, according to officials.