The capital of Zhejiang province aims to be a global conference player and Hangzhou International Expo Center will play a key role. [Photo/VCG]

After establishing itself as a center for China's e-commerce and animation industry, Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang province, is now looking to become a leading destination for international conferences and conventions.

A promotional event marketing Hangzhou's meetings, incentive travels, conventions, and exhibitions industry – MICE for short, kicked off in Beijing on Aug 28.

With a focus on efficient industries, academic research, conference venues, professional services, government policies and transportation networks, the event provided a platform for participants to experience the full offering of Hangzhou's MICE resources.

As the host city of the 2016 G20 Summit, Hangzhou is equipped with a mature MICE industrial chain with professional services.

The city has six large professional exhibition centers, nine conference hotel clusters, and 10 towns with conference facilities, which can not only meet the needs of large academic conferences, but also small meetings.

According to a ranking released by the International Congress and Convention Association last year, Hangzhou came in at 97th of global conference destinations and was third among Chinese mainland cities, closely following Beijing and Shanghai.

Its array of universities and scientific research institutions also makes the city a magnet for high-caliber professionals, officials said. Last year Hangzhou had the largest influx of talent in the country – an achievement it's made for three years in a row – and it has also been selected as the "most attractive Chinese city for foreigners" for nine consecutive years.

In terms of industrial development, Hangzhou is renowned for its booming private sector and burgeoning emerging industries -- including the digital economy, financial technology, biomedicines and the cultural and creative sectors -- which have given a boost to the development of MICE industry in the city.