Silk Road expo in Xi'an draws attention from the world

Balazs Hadady, Consul-Economic Affairs from Consulate General of Hungary Chongqing, at the opening ceremony of the 2017 Silk Road International Exposition and the 21st Investment and Trade Forum for Cooperation between East and West China. The five-day event is being held in Xi'an, Northwest China's Shaanxi province, and the photo was taken on June 3. [Photo by Yang Yang/ chinadaily.com.cn]

"I have many expectations for the event as Hungary is the first Central East European country to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative," Farkas Balazs Hadady, Consul-Economic Affairs from Consulate General of Hungary Chongqing, said.

"We pay great attention to all activities about the Belt and Road Initiative, and we hope Hungary companies can find some business opportunities and business partners in Shaanxi."

Hadady added Hungary companies hoped to bring green life to China as they looked for cooperation in energy, automobile, medical and agricultural industries.

"There is also great potential for technology transfer between Hungary and China," he said.

Daryl Guppy, president of the Australia China Business Council's North Territory office, further brought along eight North Territory businesses to Xi'an in order to take part in the China national level exposition and conference event.

"We are looking to increase cooperation between Northern Australia and China," he said.

"There are many opportunities for investments into Northern Australia, as well as the export of expertise services and knowledge into the Belt and Road Initiative."

Guppy added Australia had a close relationship with the Silk Road during ancient times, and said the country would be eager to see what kind of new opportunities the Belt and Road Initiative could bring forward today.

He also said the internationalization of renminbi and China's advanced payment mechanisms – such as WeChat and Alipay – were not just about trade and project investment, but sophisticated capital investment. He said it was designed to manage and diversify risks, working in and out of China, which further brought great opportunities to the nation and the world.

Moreover, the Silk Road International Expo and ITFCEW will run until June 7 and the 38 activities featured will offer opportunities – to learn and exchange information – to cities, regions, and countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.