The 3rd China-Arab States Economic and Trade Forum kicked off in Yinchuan City, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, on September 12.

More than 7,000 officials, exhibitors, purchasers and investors from 71 countries, regions and organizations are expected to attend, according to a news briefing before the event.

The forum includes summit conferences, seminars, commodity exhibitions, economic cooperation negotiations and cultural exchanges, according to Li Rui, vice-president of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

Li added that the exhibition ground covers an area of 3.5 hectares featuring hahal and Muslim articles, energy and chemical products plus several other distinctive commodities.

The annual event is jointly sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade and the government of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.