The First Cross-Straits Tourist Expo opened Tuesday in Xiamen in southeast China's Fujian Province.

Visitors can expect tourism forums and round-table talks, investment introductions, product promotions, and a folk art show, according to organizers.

More than 30,000 business people from around the world including Europe, the US and Southeast Asia are expected to attend.

Over 400 tourist projects are soliciting investments.

Fifteen contracts were signed on the first day of the event, involving a total investment of 3.66 billion yuan (US$451 million).

The expo is jointly sponsored by tourist organizations from the mainland, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan.

(Xinhua News Agency September 7, 2005)