Hundreds of businessmen from many countries passed through Hong Kong on Wednesday (14 April) on their way to the Canton Trade fair in the People's Republic of China.

Interest in the trade fair is considerably heightened this year as a result of recent Chinese gestures towards the West including the invitation of the American and British Table Tennis teams to play in the People's Republic and the restoration of telephone links between China and the United Kingdom.

SYNOPSIS: Kowloon railway station in Hong Kong has taken on a new importance in recent days. It's through Kowloon that Western businessmen travelling to the Canton Trade Fair in the People's Republic of China pass on their way to the border.

On Wednesday, hundreds of businessmen passed through the station in order to be on hand for the opening of the fair, which officially began on Thursday.

Businessmen from many countries boarded the train for the Chinese border. They were helped by staff of the China Travel Service which looks after visitors to the People's Republic.

The trip to Canton is made by train-first from Kowloon to the Hong Kong border post at Lowu. From there, passengers cross a bridge into China and then travel on to the southern Chinese city on the Canton Express.

Several countries are expected to have a record number of traders at the Fair. Japan, one of China's biggest trading partners, is herself sending 1,500 representative and increase of 400 over last year.

The increased interest in the Fair coincides with the launching by China of a new five-year economic plan. Traders are hoping that China will be prepared to buy more than usual for her long-term needs.

Though the Fair is officially a showcase for Chinese products, the Chinese also use the occasion to conclude major import and export deals.

Interest has been heightened by recent Chinese gestures towards the West as the invitation of the American and British table tennis teams to play there and the re-established telephone link with Britain.