NANNING, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- A total of 600 people from ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) members are expected to study or receive training courses in geosciences in China over the next five years, according to a Chinese official.

Ling Yueming, vice minister of natural resources, said at the ongoing 10th China-ASEAN Mining Cooperation Forum and Exhibition that 100 students from ASEAN countries will come to China to pursue a master's or doctoral degree in geosciences, mining or related technologies.

The country will also offer 500 short-term research and training opportunities to ASEAN countries, Ling said.

The four-day event opened on Thursday in Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, with around 1,100 officials, entrepreneurs and scholars from China and ASEAN countries attending.

About 5.29 billion yuan (about 752.19 million U.S. dollars) of deals on mining projects were made at sideline events of the forum on Thursday.