Environmental protection industry giants from home and abroad are meeting in Shanghai for IE Expo 2013, Asia's most important trade fair.

"China is to invest 3.4 trillion yuan ($540 billion) into the environmental protection industry during its 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015). It means great opportunities for companies from all over the world," said Wang Yuqing, president of the China Society for Environmental Sciences.

A total of 800 exhibitors, from sectors including water and sewage treatment, refuse disposal, recycling and energy efficiency are attending the expo. Eight countries, Austria, China, Denmark, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland and the United States are organizing joint pavilions at this year's fair.

The green economy stands for a sustainable social and business model, said Marcel Huber, Bavarian State Minister from Germany.