Expo gives momentum to economic belt proposal

A major expo designed to promote cooperation among countries along the Silk Road economic belt concluded on Monday in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, after the signing of domestic deals worth a preliminary estimate of 895.6 billion yuan ($144 billion).

The 18th Investment and Trade Forum for Cooperation between East and West China and the Silk Road International Exposition "achieved fruitful results", according to Zhang Xiao-ning, deputy director of the expo's organizing committee.

Domestic participants also signed deals during the event for foreign investment worth $5.06 billion, Zhang said.