Xi’an, Shaanxi Province — A month after the third Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, Xi’an, the north-western Chinese city and the starting point of the Ancient Silk Road, is bustling with international activity as it hosts the seventh edition of the Silk Road International Expo.
The event, spanning five days, aims to strengthen economic and trade cooperation among Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner countries.
WATCH: Silk Road International Expo strengthen economic and trade cooperation
Key Highlights:
Representatives from dozens of countries have convened in Xi’an, reflecting the Expo’s status as a crucial platform for fostering collaboration among nations involved in the BRI.
Tajikistan and Azerbaijan took centre stage as the guest of honour countries, showcasing their contributions to the BRI and emphasising the deepening ties between nations.
Chinese Ambassador of Azerbaijan, Bunyad Huseynov, emphasised the transformative power of cooperation and the immense potential for mutual growth during the event. The Expo served as a testament to the strengthening ties between participating nations.
The Expo boasts six exhibition areas, each dedicated to specific themes. The International Exchanges area, for example, gathers business representatives from nearly 30 countries, providing a platform for showcasing products, achievements, and fostering global economic ties.
Exhibitors from countries like Iran present various high-quality products, including carpets, handicrafts, saffron, pistachios, and rose water. Spanish exhibitor Roberto Batres Gomez expressed the unique interactive experience the Expo provides to customers.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative. Participants view the five-day event as an opportunity to tap further into the collaboration potential under the BRI framework.
The Expo features a series of forums attended by corporate executives and chamber of commerce representatives, facilitating discussions that aim to enhance trade exchanges and explore new avenues for collaboration.
Consul General Dmitry Yemelyanau, Consulate General of Belarus in Chongqing, sees the Expo as an opportunity for BRI participating countries to enter a new stage of high-quality and balanced development.
He emphasises the importance of investment, cooperation in technological development, and strengthening people-to-people and cultural interactions, including in tourism.
The Silk Road International Expo in Xi’an continues to serve as a pivotal platform for fostering international collaboration and trade, emphasising the enduring significance of the Belt and Road Initiative.
