BEIJING, July 1 (Xinhua) -- The second China International Import Expo (CIIE) opens registration of professional visitors, the CIIE organizer said on Monday.

Professional visitors from both at home and abroad can register on its official website starting from July 1 to September 30.

The expo defines professional visitors as buyers, industry insiders and experts from relevant enterprises, government organs, public institutions and social organizations.

To attract more professional visitors and optimize its service, the expo has created a code-free registration channel for private firms and small and medium-sized enterprises, provided certificate delivery service and exempted last year's visitors from re-registration.

The second CIIE, slated to take place in early November this year in Shanghai, will feature seven exhibition categories, including sci-tech life, automobiles, equipment, medical equipment and healthcare products, quality life, trade in service and agricultural products.

A total of 172 countries, regions and international organizations and more than 3,600 enterprises participated in the first CIIE, held from Nov. 5 to 10 in Shanghai. It was the world's first import-themed national-level expo.