CRI听力:Cross-Straits fair sets sail on Maritime Silk Road

The annual Cross-Straits Fair for Economy and Trade (CFET) is underway in Fuzhou, capital of southeastern China’s Fujian province.

This year’s exhibition opened just on the heel of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

As the first major event related to the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road after the Belt and Road Forum, this year’s CFET attracts more than 2,000 participants from 59 countries and regions of Asia, Africa, Europe, South America and North America, the highest number since its inauguration.

Of the exhibitors, 380 are from countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road initiative.

As a port city and one of the birthplaces of the Maritime Silk Road, Fuzhou has been involved in the road’s growth.

With a sea area of 11,000 square kilometers and 1,137 kilometers of coastline, the city saw its marine trade increase greatly at the end of the Tang Dynasty.

In the Ming Dynasty, thanks to its advantages in location, natural condition and maritime personnel, the city was designated as the port for supplies and the starting point for Zheng He’s voyages, a great adventure in the navigational history of the world.

Today, as the gateway of the Maritime Silk Road, Fuzhou operates marine traffic routes to more than 30 countries and regions.

This year, the organizers take a series of steps to cement their role in the modern move to revive the ancient trade routes.

During the fair, a special ceremony witnessed the signing of agreements between trading associations that focus on the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

On the first day of the exhibition, Indonesia, a country along the Maritime Silk Road, opened a "national pavilion" to promote its products and scenic locations.

In his speech to the opening ceremony of the Indonesian Pavilion, Indonesian Ambassador to China, Soegeng Rahardjo, said Fujian province is the most important partner of Indonesia in China with great potential in trade.

 Official figures show the trade between Fuzhou and Indonesia hit 11.12 billion yuan in the first four months of the year, up 44.4 percent year on year.

During this year's CFET, close to 150 agreements are expected to be signed with total investments exceeding 270 billion yuan.

Many overseas participants said they want to use the occasion to further promote their countries and products in China.