Intl aquatic expo underway in Zhanjiang 

The 2018 China International Aquatic Expo opened at Zhanjiang, Guangdong province on June 18, attracting over 200 exhibitors and 3,000 buyers from the United States, Ecuador, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and India.

The expo, the fourth largest of its kind in the world, is a one-stop trade platform for the global fishery industry. Founded in 2014, it has been held five times in Zhanjiang with the purpose of helping Chinese aquatic products reach world markets.

Themed "Better Aquaculture, Better Life", this year's event covers some 20,000 square meters at the Zhanjiang International Convention Center. More than 500 booths have been set up to display frozen foods, aquatic animals and the latest machinery.

The exhibited products are more diversified compared with the previous sessions. In addition to shrimp and tilapia, two regulars at the expo, a raft of shellfish and trepang (a precious kind of sea cucumber) are on show.

Meanwhile, large wholesale markets and chain restaurants interested in shrimp, trepang and basa fish have been invited to match-making conferences. Other activities include a seafood fair and high-end summits on the aquatic industry, trepang, and the breeding of fish at paddy fields.

The event is sponsored by the China Aquatic Production Chamber of Commerce, the Guangdong Aquatic Products Processing and Marketing Alliance and the Zhanjiang Association of Aquatic Products Import & Export.