Upcoming Zhuhai Sino-Latina expo shows promise

At least 524 enterprises including 339 from abroad will attend the China-Latin America & Caribbean International Exposition at the International Convention & Exhibition Center in Shizimen Central Business District on Nov 9-11.

China's premier trading event for Latin American and Caribbean countries in Zhuhai will also be a key to cross-cultural communication. On the program are Latin songs and dances, including samba and tango, and traditional Chinese arts.

The song-and-dance performances will be staged by major-league troupes from Brazil, Costa Rica, the Bahamas, Uruguay, Trinidad, and Tobago, and accompanied by sweet steel drum melodies. They will take place 2: 30-4 pm on the 9th and 10th, and 10-11: 30 am on Nov 10 and 11.

Furthermore, there will be a brilliant art show at the Zhuhai Huafa & CPAA Grand Theatre on opening day. The star-studded line-up includes first-class teams and artists from Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, and Chile.

1st China-Latin America & Caribbean Int'l Expo [Photo courtesy Zhuhai Daily]

Spotlights will be on Mexican Mariachi musicians and novel presentations of ancient legends and celebrations. Chinese classic music will be played on the harp-like konghou and pipa (traditional four-stringed instrument). Chinese lion and drum dancing featuring Lingnan characteristics will accompany the music.

The first-of-its-kind event has state support to promote cross-border cooperation with a focus on economic and trade contacts. These enchanting interludes will lend Chinese and Latin warmth to technology exchanges, negotiations, and product displays. They should encourage high-standard business cooperation, claimed a spokesperson.

The exposition scope covers 24 Latin American nations and regions sending 252 companies to interact with Chinese enterprises and 87 firms from 33 countries along the Belt & Road.

Participants already clinched 56 projects worth more than 3.2 billion yuan ($492 million) as of Oct 31. Signing of the deals at the fair will be witnessed by 1,040 Chinese and 443 foreign leaders and ministerial officials as well as other state-level business association representatives.

Chief among the agreed projects are 12 covering printing supplies, modern logistics, petrochemicals, and home electric appliances. The parties are from China, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Panama, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay, and other Latin American countries, as well as Thailand and Vietnam.

The One Belt One Road & China-LAC Cultural Exchange International Academic Seminar will be part of the expo, as will a special ceremony for the listing of China-LAC Economic & Trade Cooperation Park.

The CLAC-Expo will include the main China-Latin America Economic & Trade Cooperation Forum alongside three parallel gatherings: the 2017 China-LAC International Service Trade (Outsourcing Cooperation) Innovation & Development Forum, Congress of the Chinese Members of the Dialogue With Latin American & China-LAC Entrepreneurs Council, and meeting of the China-LAC International Expo Investment & Trading Exchange.

Experts, researchers and entrepreneurs will discuss trends and opportunities arising from collaborative efforts between China and countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.

The exposition is sponsored by the China Chamber of International Commerce and organized by the Department of Commerce of Guangdong Province, Zhuhai government, CCPIT Guangzhou Committee, and China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ) Hengqin New Area of Zhuhai.