The opening ceremony of the 12th Western China International Fair (WCIF) was held this morning at Sichuan Provincial Gymnasium of Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan province.

This year, 4,564 enterprises from 52 countries and regions will participate at the fair, scheduled for Oct 18 to 22.

The fair exhibition hall is 180,000 square meters, including six main halls: West Cooperation Hall, International Cooperation Hall, Hi－Tech Hall, Electronics Information Hall, Equipment Hall and Agriculture Industry Hall.

WCIF, hosted jointly by western parts of China, is a comprehensive state－level fair that contributes to trade and investment. It’s also a platform to boost cooperation between west and east China as well as China and foreign countries.

"WCIF is one of the biggest business pageants in west China. It has helped promote collaboration and economic development in western parts of China. Also, it is a channel for the west to blend in with the world,"said Zhong Shan, vice－minister of Ministry of Commerce.

Started in 2000, WCIF has been held annually in Chengdu.