Chinese President Xi Jinping has sent a congratulatory letter to the 17th Western China International Fair, which opened in the city of Chengdu Thursday.
As a major window for China's opening-up, the fair has created an important platform for China's western regions to jointly develop the Belt and Road as well as enhance communication and cooperation with countries around the world, Xi said.
Xi said the western regions, with vast landmass, rich resources, great opportunities and advantageous locations, have achieved significant development over the past years as China pushes forward the strategy to develop and open up western regions.
By actively participating in the development of the Belt and Road, more vitality will be unleashed in the western regions, making them an important part of the efforts to make new ground in opening China further through links running eastward and westward, across the land and over the sea, he said.
Xi emphasized that the fair, with the theme "New Era in China, New Advances in Western China" and a focus on jointly developing the Belt and Road, bears positive significance for the western regions to enhance external communication and cooperation.
He expressed the hope that participants at the fair can gain insight into western China, strengthen friendships, enhance cooperation and communication and share new development opportunities brought by opening-up.
