Expos in China are being used to showcase the latest trends and provide opportunities for participants. We have launched a new series looking into the expos taking place around the country, which will focus on the role of these events in accelerating industrial upgrading and regional cooperation. Today our reporter visits the seventh Silk Road International Expo. The exhibition brought together officials and business leaders from dozens of countries to foster future economic partnerships. One of the main focuses was the China-Europe freight train – a key service that's transformed cross-border trade over the past decade. Yang Jinghao reports on the future of the railway, and the opportunities it promises.

The Silk Road International Expo in Xi'an this year has brought together a diverse range of exhibitors from about 30 countries.

PUZHEVICH ANNA Belarusian Exhibitor "We have these cookies from Belarus, cream, cheese and caviar."

The exhibitor's company specializes in imports and exports between China and Belarus. She says around 80 percent of their products are transported by the rail system.

YANG JINGHAO Xi'an, Shaanxi Province "Here at the Xi'an International Port, the Chang'an China-Europe freight train set out for the very first time in November 2013. Over the past decade, the service has completed over 20,000 trips, and the transport route has grown from one to 17."

The routes cover nearly the entire Eurasian region, with transport efficiency continuously improving.

YUAN XIAOJUN General Manager Xi'an Free Trade Port Construction and Operation "When the service was just launched, the products were mainly equipment such as brick-making machines and petroleum machinery. Now the categories have expanded to new energy vehicles, solar photovoltaic panels, and consumer electronics."

This year also marks the tenth anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative. Participating countries say they recognize the important developmental role this "modern Silk Road" has played.

DZMITRY YEMELYANAU Consul General, Consulate General of Belarus in Chongqing "Currently, more than 80 percent of the container railway routes from China to Europe pass through Belarus. We're also taking this opportunity to send trains to Chinese cities such as Xi'an, Chengdu and Chongqing. Over the past 10 years, our trade turnover has been steadily growing, which contributes to the development of our bilateral ties."

During the expo, Chinese and overseas operators have also discussed strategies to promote the high-quality development of the freight service over the next decade.

ARTHUR BALLARDT CEO, Rail Transportation Service Broker "We will do everything that the railway stays competitive in terms of rates, in terms of transit time and in terms of quality service, so the industry will still search for such a solution and bring their goods by railway between all countries on the Eurasian corridor."

A series of business forums and meetings have explored investment opportunities during the five-day event.

DAVIT MKHITARYAN Vice President, Armenian Chinese Partnership Center "We are considering to establish food processing factories in Xi'an or in (other cities of) Shaanxi Province, because the place is famous for its agricultural products, and this is necessary as a raw material for the processed food, like processed meat or jams or juices."

YJH, CGTN, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province.