China-Arab State Expo to be held in NW China

BEIJING - The first China-Arab State Expo, a key platform for promoting trade between China and the Muslim world, will be held in Northwest China's city of Yinchuan in September, the event's organizers said Wednesday.

Multiple business forums, trade fairs and exhibitions will be held at the expo, which will take place in the capital city of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, which is home to more than 10 percent of China's 20 million Muslims.

Promotional activities will center on agriculture, energy, trade, art and financial cooperation, the organizers said.

Kuwait will be invited as a guest of honor, with a youth football match featuring players from Kuwait and China to be held at the expo.

Liu Hui, chairwoman of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, said the Hui people of Ningxia share many similarities with the Arab people in terms of culture, religion and customs.

Ningxia should use the expo to aid in the opening up of west China, she said.

Trade between China and Arab countries increased 14 percent year on year to a record high of 222.4 billion U.S. dollars last year. China's exports to Arab countries totaled 91.3 billion U.S. dollars, while imports amounted to 131.1 billion U.S. dollars.

The expo originated from the China-Arab States Economic and Trade Forum, which has been held annually since 2010.