China will support the innovative development of the China-Arab States Expo and improve the mechanism for organizing the event, said Shao Hong, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). 

Shao made the remarks in a keynote speech delivered via video link at the opening of the fifth expo held in Yinchuan, capital of Northwest China’s Ningxia Hui autonomous region, on Aug 19.   

He pointed out that the expo has become an important platform for China and Arab states to jointly construct the Belt and Road and is playing a constructive role in promoting economic and trade cooperation between the two sides. 

He noted that by innovatively launching both online and offline platforms, this year’s expo will boost communication and cooperation between China and Arab states to a great extent. 

The expo was held by the Ministry of Commerce, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, and the government of Ningxia from Aug 19 to 22 with a focus on "deepening trade and economic cooperation and jointly building the Belt and Road".