What they say

The Guangdong 21st Century Maritime Silk Road International Expo, slated to start on Oct 27 in Dongguan, Guangdong province, has been receiving increasing attention and recognition from the countries along the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. It also received wide support from Chinese embassies and consulates in foreign countries.

"The Guangdong 21st Century Maritime Silk Road International Expo is a bilateral platform, which helps South African businessmen to purchase Chinese commodities and meanwhile enables them to showcase South African products. I hope entrepreneurs from both countries can use the expo to find opportunities to cooperate and thus make contributions to the two countries' bilateral trade."

Yang Peidong, acting consul general of the Chinese consulate-general in Johannesburg

"Our office will proactively implement the Belt and Road Initiative to make full use of platforms such the Guangdong 21st Century Maritime Silk Road International Expo, to promote business cooperation between Guangdong and New Zealand and enable quality companies from New Zealand to attend the expo."

Zhang Fan, economic and commercial counselor of the Chinese embassy in New Zealand

"Guangdong is a major province famous for its economic achievement, in China's reform and opening-up, and for being an important junction in the Belt and Road Initiative. I believe the organizers are well capable of holding the Guangdong 21st Century Maritime Silk Road International Expo and offering a practical platform for trade and investment between China and Tanzania."

Zhang Biao, political counselor of the Chinese embassy in Tanzania

"The Maritime Silk Road International Expo, now in its third year, has been fruitful. It has not only attracted many countries along the Maritime Silk Road but also those in other parts of the world. I believe it will attract even more exhibitors and purchasers this year."

Lin Xiaojing, economic and commercial counselor of the Chinese embassy in Kenya

"The Chinese embassy in Fiji will spare no effort to help enhance exchanges and cooperation between Guangdong province and Fiji. I hope they will join hands to cultivate opportunities of cooperation."

Zhang Ping, Chinese ambassador to Fiji

"In recent years, Guangdong province has been promoting cooperation between China and Pacific countries, including Tonga, by making full use of its geographical, technological and financial advantages. The two sides see frequent high-level visits, close business relations and frequent people-to-people exchanges. I hope the parties involved will make further efforts to realize yet more fruitful results."

Huang Huaguang, Chinese ambassador to Tonga

Visitors to the 2015 Guangdong 21st Century Maritime Silk Road International Expo sample tea in a pavilion in this Oct 29, 2015 file photo. [Photo by Zheng Lindong/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]