The city of Dongguan is ready for the opening of the International Fair of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, according to Liu Xiaojie, deputy director of the organizing committee.

The event, which will take place in Houjie township in the city of Dongguan, known as "factory of the world" in Guangdong province, from Oct 31 through Nov 2, will display new and high-tech products from countries along the Maritime Silk Road and from renowned Guangdong firms, Liu said.

The opening day will only be for professional buyers while the remaining two days will be open to the public.

"Commercial federations and enterprises from 34 nations and regions have promised to attend the event. Meanwhile, 15 friendly organizations from 12 countries and six delegations of sister cities from three countries will also participate," Liu told a press conference in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province, early this month.

About 87 percent of the countries and regions that lie along the Maritime Silk Road will also attend the three-day fair.

Various foreign enterprises have applied for 2,536 booths, exceeding expectations by 26.8 percent. Fortune 500 companies, such as Samsung and LG from South Korea, will also attend the event to seek the expansion of cooperation with local companies.

Liu said two exhibition areas will be set aside for special and competitive products from Guangdong, one of China's economic powerhouses, to showcase the achievements of cooperation that Guangdong and participating countries have achieved in the tourism industry in recent years.

Guangdong will also seek to establish airline cooperation agreements with East Asia, South Asia, Middle East and African countries, especially South Korea, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Saudi Arabi and Ethiopia, during the event.

Compared with similar international fairs in China, this will be the first to define transportation and port logistics cooperation with other countries, Liu said.

"In addition to promoting the history of Guangdong's trade and cultural links with countries along the ancient maritime trade route, the event will also focus on promoting cross-border e-commerce," Liu said.

"Related forums, special lectures and exhibitions will be organized during the event to discuss the trend of development of cross-border e-commerce and the possibility of economic cooperation expansion," Liu said

"The event also provides a discussion platform for scholars, experts and senior business executives to share their opinions and exchange views on the construction of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, which is expected to be able to help boost economic development for the countries and regions along the Maritime Silk Road."

Liu said senior leaders from those countries and regions would also attend the seminar to discuss further economic cooperation and growth.

(China Daily USA 10/27/2014 page12)