Businesses from China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, central Asia and Europe are in the Chinese city of Urumqi for the 5th annual China-Eurasia Expo.

Guests pose for photos with girls wearing traditional costumes after the opening ceremony of the 5th China-Eurasia Expo in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 20, 2016. The Expo attracting more than 2,000 exhibitors kicked off here on Tuesday. [Xinhua]

September is the best time of year in Xinjiang. This biggest region in China, for hundreds of years, has served Chinese merchants as a gateway to central Asia and Europe.

Xinjiang is known for its breath-taking scenary and rich natural resources.

And Xinjiang's businesses are using those advantages to attract trade and investment deals as the China-Eurasia Expo started Tuesday in the region's capital Urumqi.

Officials have high expecations.

"We strive to expand trade with countries in the Silk Road area, optimize our trade structure and cultivate new points of growth for trade," Arken Imirbaki, vice chairman of Standing Committee, National People's Congress, said.

This expo has expanded this year. It's display area occupies 100 thousand square meters of floor space. That's more than twice the amount that of the last year. Businesses are showvasing all kinds of products, which include exquisite jade, good-smelling fruits, fine wine, beautiful fabrics...just the best that Xinjiang has to offer.

"This exhibition belongs to our women's federation's social enterprise. It is the fifth time we have attended the expo. It is a great platform to help Xinjiang women who make hand-made clothes and bags," Gao Peixiang, vice chairman of Party Committee of Xinjiang Women Fed., said.

This is the first time the expo has been held since the Chinese government designated Xinjiag as a center of the silk road economic belt. That's attracted many other businesses in China to tap into opportunities in the region.

"We have established a branch in Xinjiang and use it as a stronghold to penetrate the western Asian market," Ma Chengbiao, communication head of CRC Heavy Industry, said.

The expo has seen deals valued at about 900 billion yuan signed since 2011. Participants in this year's expo say the momentum of trade and investment can only accelerate.

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