TIANJIN, March 18 (Xinhua) -- An international seed expo opened Saturday in north China's Tianjin Municipality to promote technological innovation in the seed industry.

The 14th China international seed expo, covering an exhibition area of over 20,000 square meters at the main venue, showcases a wide range of seed products and advanced technology in the seed industry.

More than 1,200 companies, universities and institutions, as well as seed production bases, are participating in the three-day event.

Forums on biological breeding industrialization, intellectual property protection and other topics will also be held.

Wan Jianmin, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, said that for many years China has achieved bumper grain harvests, with absolute security in staple foods and basic self-sufficiency in grains. The per unit yield of rice and wheat in China is higher than the global average.

Xie Yuan, vice mayor of Tianjin, said the event provides a platform for experts and entrepreneurs to exchange ideas and promote cooperation, which will help with China's science and technological development in the seed industry.