Shaanxi, an important window for China's opening up, celebrated its provincial week in the China Pavilion of Astana Expo on July 27.

Officials attending and addressing the opening ceremony included Wan Jifei, former chairman of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade(CCPIT), Liang Gui, vice governor of Shaanxi province, Zhang Hanhui, Chinese ambassador to Kazakhstan, and Bekturova Malika Yerlanovna, deputy mayor of Astana.

More than 120 people attended the ceremony, including secretary-general of Kazakhstan's ruling party Kuanganov, deputy governor of Zhambyl, deputy governor of Pavlodar, general director of the Kazakhstan Investment Cooperation Agency Aidyn Bayedilov, pavilion curators from foreign countries, and representatives of relevant departments and enterprises from Shaanxi.

Wan Jifei, former chairman of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, delivers a speech.

Wan Jifei said the expo, with the theme of "future energy", provides an important platform for countries to showcase the achievements in the development and utilization of new energy, to explore energy cooperation strategy and to promote sustainable development. As China's major energy province and starting stop of the Silk Road Economic Zone, Shaanxi should further expand pragmatic cooperation with Kazakhstan and neighboring countries, and contribute to promoting the construction of Belt and Road Initiative.

Liang Gui, vice governor of Shaanxi province, delivers a speech.

Liang Gui pointed out that the Belt and Road Initiative cooperation began since President Xi proposed to build the "Silk Road Economic Zone". The implementation of this proposal allowed Shaanxi to stand at the forefront of opening-up. In recent years, Shaanxi sped up industrial restructuring while maintaining its advantages in traditional energy, making great progress in the transformation of traditional energy and the development and utilization of renewable energy. We hope to demonstrate the achievements of Shaanxi in energy development and its splendid history and culture, and seek better cooperation in traditional energy transformation, new energy development, energy saving and environmental protection.

Zhang Hanhui, Chinese ambassador to Kazakhstan, delivers a speech.

Zhang Hanhui said that Shaanxi, as an ancient metropolis, is one of the birthplaces of Chinese civilization. It is also China's major science, technology and education province, and has become developed in the industries of aerospace, nuclear, shipbuilding and national defense.

He said that he hopes Shaanxi will play a greater role in the construction of Belt and Road Initiative, and actively promote the effective docking of Belt and Road Initiative and the "Bright Road" plan between China and Kazakhstan.

Bekturova, deputy mayor of Astana, delivers a speech.

Bekturova said that China is Kazakhstan's largest partner and the bilateral relations have developed rapidly with strong support from the leaders of the two countries. The expo provides a platform for China to showcase development achievements and promote mutually beneficial cooperation, and helps people better understand the opportunities and broad prospects that the Sino-Kazakh economic and trade cooperation has brought. She said that she believes the event will deepen mutual cooperation on economic, cultural, scientific and technological fields.

During the event, the delegation of Shaanxi province performed to express unique Shaanxi culture. During the week, other activities will be held, including energy promotion fairs, exhibitions of intangible cultural heritages, and a tourism fair. It is worth mentioning that Shaanxi will also be the first province to hold the park parade activity.

Shu Huan, deputy government representative and curator of China Pavilion, will attend the activities listed above.