Mobile World Congress Shanghai, a major exhibition of the mobile communications industry, will make a grand return as a physical experience for 2021, said the GSMA, an international association of mobile operators.

Scheduled for Feb 23 to 25 at the Shanghai New International Expo Center, it will be one of the largest and most anticipated events of its kind in recent months, GSMA said in a statement.

"MWC21 Shanghai is far more than just an event. It's a celebration of the power of intelligent connectivity and provides a platform for people to come together and push the industry and society forward," John Hoffman, CEO of GSMA Ltd, said.

"Bringing the MWC series of events back for 2021 has taken a superhuman effort, and we are looking forward to welcoming the mobile ecosystem back to Shanghai in February," Hoffman said.

This year, MWC Shanghai will welcome international attendees and audiences, with a virtual platform to accompany the physical event. Online attendees will be able to access live conference and partner content online, GSMA said.

The theme for the MWC series of events in 2021 is Connected Impact. GSMA said the program will showcase how the entire digital ecosystem continues to transform lives and significantly support global recovery with technology visionaries sparking conversation and imagination through keynotes and panel discussions.