Shenzhen cultural fair to feature ties with Silk Road nations

The China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industrial Fair will feature cultural cooperation between China and countries and regions along the ancient Silk Road Economic Belt and Maritime Silk Road, according to the organizers.

The annual cultural fair is scheduled to open on Thursday in Shenzhen, China's test ground for reforming and opening up.

Under China's Belt and Road Initiative, a series of events will be organized to facilitate cultural cooperation between China and countries and regions involved in the strategy, which was first proposed by President Xi Jinping, according to the organizers.

The five-day fair has attracted more than 18,000 traders from 97 countries and regions, with 2,286 governmental and business organizations confirming participation, according to Wu Yihuan, vice mayor of Shenzhen.

A newly- built hall featuring the "Belt and Road Initiative" will display latest cultural products and China's traditional culture, according to Wu.