HARBIN -- An exposition for the advanced materials industry kicked off in northeast China's Heilongjiang province on Thursday.

The expo, which will last from September 6 to 8 in the provincial capital of Harbin, features products ranging from environmentally-friendly tableware to advanced construction materials that can absorb the impact of earthquakes.

More than 1,000 companies from the Chinese mainland, Taiwan, the United States and Japan are participating in the expo, according to a press release from the provincial government.