The 56th China International Pharmaceutical Ingredients Fair (API China) and 55th Expolab exhibition held from 18 to 20 May 2006 at the Chengdu New International Exposition Centre at Chengdu in China attracted more than 1,100 domestic and international exhibitors and over 40,000 local and international visitors.

The event was attended by leading international exhibitors from the US, Germany, India, Japan and Korea including DSM, Capsugel, Rousselot Gelatin, Roquette Freres, BSAF, Degussa, Colorcon, ISP, and Neveen. It also showcased the leading manufacturers in China like the North China Pharmaceutical Group Corporation, the Harbin Pharmaceutical Group, the Shijiazhuang Pharmaceutical Group, Shandong Xinhua, Shangdong Lukang, Zhejiang Hisun and other thousands of manufacturers of fine chemicals & ingredients, processing and packaging equipment and packaging materials. The Indian companies which participated in the exhibition included Aurobindo Pharma and Jubilant Organosis (Shanghai) Ltd.

Ge Honglin, Vice Secretary of Municipal Committee of CPC and Mayor of Chengdu, She Lulin, Member of the Board and President of China National Pharmaceutical Group Corporation attended the glittering opening ceremony. The Chengdu municipal leaders He Shaohua, He Huazhang, etc. cut the ribbon for the fair.

One of the special features of API China was the outsourcing pavilion and the packaging & machinery pavilion, as a "one stop solution centre" for the visitors and aimed to make API China also a leading event for the packaging and processing machinery event in China.

The event also had a series of business forums and seminars to update the latest statistics, trends and technology development for the industry. The business forums focussed on two key themes, "API Market Information Issue" and "International Marketing & Compliance of APIs".

The 55th Expolab, co-located with 56th API China, attracted numerous manufacturers of scientific equipment, laboratory equipment, professional devices & chemical reagents, glass equipment, distributors, purchasers and other related companies. Sichuan is an important western province in China in terms of business opportunities, technology developments, industry and scientific equipment.

Reed Sinopharm Exhibitions organised the event, supported by the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China, the People's Government of Chengdu Municipal, the China Pharmaceutical Industry Association, the China National Pharmaceutical Industry Corporation, and the China Pharmaceutical Packaging Association among others.