The 2017 Central China (Hunan) Agriculture Expo is being held at Changsha International Convention and Exhibition Center from Nov 18 to 24.

This year's expo has attracted more than 3,000 exhibitors from some 30 countries and regions with the largest ever number of participants since it was established in 1999.

The exhibition area covers 110,000 square meters with eight featured areas and 13,500 sq m allocated for overseas exhibitors.

A dazzling array of agricultural products ranging from cubilose found in bird's nests to pineapple is on display, drawing a large number of purchasers and visitors to add them to their carts.

The 2017 Central China (Hunan) Agricultural Expo opens on Nov 18 at Changsha International Convention and Exhibition Center. [Photo by Li Haiqing/news.changsha.cn]

Changsha Mayor Chen Wenhua said at the opening ceremony that the expo serves as an important platform to showcase new agricultural products and cutting-edge technologies in the field.

With the theme of Green and Brand, Communication and Cooperation, the agricultural expo is a platform for exchange and communication, and plays an active role in promoting cooperation with countries along the Belt and Road.

Purchasers are attracted by a dazzling array of imported delicacies at the expo. [Photo by Lv Nana/Chinanews.com]

"Hunan government officials visited Malaysia promoting the event, and my friends also recommended me to take part," said Li Fuhua, a Malaysian newcomer of the expo.

Li said he hoped to enhance trade ties with China and Hunan especially at the expo. "It has started off well, and several enterprises have shown cooperation intent."

Hunan Vice-Governor Xu Dazhe said at the forum that Hunan is now accelerating agricultural modernization, focusing on constructing a modern agricultural industry, production and operation systems, and establishing a sound service system in the field.

Through the expo, Hunan will deepen cooperation and achieve win-win results with parties involved home and abroad in a broader and wider context.

Hunan Vice-Governor Xu Dazhe delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the expo held in Changsha, Nov 18. [Photo by Li Haiqing/news.changsha.cn]

This year's expo is complemented with a summit and 10 other activities, aiming to promote agricultural policies, boost industrial integration and brand building, and facilitate cooperation.