China's first minerals and gems event will kick off on May 16 in Changsha, Hunan province.

The event will welcome about 1,200 mineral and gem exhibitors from more than 50 countries and regions, according to the Ministry of Land and Resources.

The five-day exhibition, jointly organized by the ministry and the Hunan provincial government, will promote the country's gem and jewelry industry and aims to be the largest professional show in Asia for the sector, Jiang Jianjun, director of the ministry's department of international cooperation and technology said.

The ministry said many priceless gems will be on exhibition, including one of the only two existing complete specimen of Archaeopteryx, which is expected to fetch 1 billion yuan ($159 million).

The show will be held annually in Changsha, the ministry said.