Traditional dancing is performed to welcome guests during the 2017 Silk Road International Exposition and the 21st Investment and Trade Forum for Cooperation between East and West China in Xi'an on June 3. [Photo/cnwest.com]

Merchants from all over the world flocked to Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi Province, to seize potential business opportunities during the 2017 Silk Road International Exposition and the 21st Investment and Trade Forum for Cooperation between East and West China on June 3.

The five-day event has attracted more than 300 overseas enterprises from 42 countries and regions. Official leaders from Serbia, Hungary and Pakistan were also invited to the event.

A total of 12 pavilions in an exhibition area of 300,000 square meters are hosted at the event, including the Silk Road International Pavilion, China Shaanxi Pavilion, and others representing the logistics, equipment manufacturing, smart applications and emerging industries.

A pavilion focused on special local products from Silk Road countries and regions, such as silk, tea and porcelain, is a new face at this year's expo.

Serbian dancers perform during the expo in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, on June 3. [Photo/Xinhua]

The Silk Road Economic Belt Forum for International Cooperation, held for the first time during the expo, has proved to be a highlight as an extension to the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in May. The forum discussed solutions to promote and expand investment and cooperation between countries and regions along the Silk Road.

"This year's Silk Road International Exposition will play a positive role in accelerating exchanges and cooperation between western China and countries along the Silk Road Economic Belt," said Qian Keming, China's vice-minister of commerce.

Qian Keming, China's vice-minister of commerce, delivers a speech to mark the importance of Silk Road International Exposition in Xi'an on June 3. [Photo/cnwest.com]