Xi'an economic forum to focus on Silk Road development

Xi'an will host the 2015 Euro-Asia Economic Forum, an economic conference promoting international cooperation between countries in Asia and Europe, from Thursday through Saturday.

The forum is expected to attract more than 2,000 participants from 53 countries and regions, including more than 40 government officials at and above the minister level, to the capital city in Shaanxi province in northwest China.

This focus of this year's meeting is China's "One Belt, One Road" initiative that seeks to reinvigorate cooperation and further develop economic ties between the countries along the ancient Silk Road trade route.

The forum will include a cooperative round-table discussion with member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and other Asian and European countries, a conference on the Euro-Asian Economic Comprehensive Park and an investment fair for Euro-Asian countries focusing on Xi'an.

An exhibition for commodities made in Russia and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization countries also will be featured at the three-day event.

The forum, created in 2005 by the State Council, is held every two years in Xi'an.