Intl auto show in Chinese island sees $200m in transactions

HAIKOU - The 17th Hainan International Auto Exhibition concluded Sunday in Haikou, capital of South China's island province Hainan, with a transaction volume of 1.5 billion yuan ($200 million).

Covering about 50,000 square meters, the four-day event was the first of its kind in Hainan since COVID-19 hit the country, attracting nearly 100 auto brands and about 150,000 visitors, according to the exhibition's organizing committee.

"This is the most special auto show as it's the first one since the epidemic," said Fu Zongxi, a sales manager of an automobile store, saying that they received 50 orders on the first day. "The COVID-19 hit our sales but the exhibition can give us a boost."

In an effort to control the epidemic, the committee adopted a real-name ticketing system. The exhibitors, staff members and visitors were required to have their health QR codes checked and wear masks before entering the venues.

"I'm not worried about safety since Hainan has done a good job in epidemic prevention and control, and no new cases have been reported for a long time," said Li Xiaoping, a local resident who came to see new models on show.