BEIJING - China has 4.5 million security guards and about 3,700 security service companies, official statistics revealed on Wednesday.

The annual production value of the security service industry is expanding at an average rate of 20 percent, according to a press release from the 2013 China International Security Equipment Technology and Product Expo that runs from November 20 to 22.

China is forming a modern security guard system integrating new Internet technologies and manual monitoring, according to the expo.

More than 200 security service companies are participating in the exhibition, which highlights technology-based equipment for security guards, security communication apparatus and safety warning systems.

The event is sponsored by the country's Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Science and Technology and the China Security Association.

A symposium on security service industrial exchange between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan will also be held on the sidelines of the expo.