BEIJING, April 26 (Xinhua) -- The fifth China International Defense Electronics Exhibition (CIDEX) opened here on Wednesday with the latest technology and devices from 300 companies.

    More than 30 firms from the United States, Russia, Britain and other nations took part in the biannual showcase for electronics, ammunition, aeronautics and space products, said an official with the China National Electronics Import and Export Corporation (CEIEC).

    The exhibition is organized by the CEIEC, the China Electronics Technology International Trade Co. and the Beijing Xinlong Electronics Technology Company, Ltd.

    CIDEX, launched in 1998, provided an opportunity for stepping up international exchanges and cooperation, said CEIEC vice-president Zhang Zhijie.

    The fifth CIDEX is being held in the Beijing Exhibition Center with an exhibition floor space of 15,000 square meters.

    The organizers will arrange two forums on the development and applications of defense electronics during the exhibition, which ends on Saturday.

    The last exhibition held in Beijing in 2004, attracting 260 exhibitors and more than 20,000 visitors over four days. Enditem