Silk Road expo in Xi’an draws attention from the world

The 2017 Silk Road International Exposition and the 21st Investment and Trade Forum for Cooperation between East and West China (ITFCEW) kicked off in Xi'an, Northwest China's Shaanxi province, on June 3.

More than 300 overseas companies from across 42 countries and regions are expected to attend the five-day exposition, themed New Platform, New Opportunities and New Development.

"It is quite useful for developing cooperation between countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative," Dusan Bella, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary from the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Beijing, said.

"The exposition in Xi'an turns President Xi's vision in action, and builds bridges between people and businesses."

The five-day event will consist of major activities and exhibitions, including 20 high-level conferences and international forums – such as the opening ceremony of the 2017 Silk Road International Exposition and the Silk Road Economic Belt Forum for International Cooperation, as well as the 2017 Silk Road Qinling Forum and International Business Associations' Roundtable Conference in Xi'an.

Exhibitions will include 12 pavilions, with two main venues and three parallel venues, covering an area of 300,000 square meters (30 hectares). The two main venues were located in the Qujiang International Conference and Exhibition Center, and the Xi'an Greenland Pico International Convention and Exhibition Center. The three parallel venues have also been located in the Xi'an Tang Dynasty West Market, Xi'an South China City and Shaanxi Science and Technology Resource Co-ordination Center.

Representatives from various countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative have, so far, actively taken part in the event, with many looking for new development opportunities in the new platform for mutual benefits.

"I have many expectations for the event as Hungary is the first Central East European country to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative," Farkas Balazs Hadady, Consul-Economic Affairs from Consulate General of Hungary Chongqing, said.

"We pay great attention to all activities about the Belt and Road Initiative, and we hope Hungary companies can find some business opportunities and business partners in Shaanxi."

Hadady added Hungary companies hoped to bring green life to China as they looked for cooperation in energy, automobile, medical and agricultural industries.

"There is also great potential for technology transfer between Hungary and China," he said.

Daryl Guppy, president of the Australia China Business Council's North Territory office, further brought along eight North Territory businesses to Xi'an in order to take part in the China national level exposition and conference event.

"We are looking to increase cooperation between Northern Australia and China," he said.

"There are many opportunities for investments into Northern Australia, as well as the export of expertise services and knowledge into the Belt and Road Initiative."

Guppy added Australia had a close relationship with the Silk Road during ancient times, and said the country would be eager to see what kind of new opportunities the Belt and Road Initiative could bring forward today.

He also said the internationalization of renminbi and China's advanced payment mechanisms – such as WeChat and Alipay – were not just about trade and project investment, but sophisticated capital investment. He said it was designed to manage and diversify risks, working in and out of China, which further brought great opportunities to the nation and the world.

Moreover, the Silk Road International Expo and ITFCEW will run until June 7 and the 38 activities featured will offer opportunities – to learn and exchange information – to cities, regions, and countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.