The Asia Agro-Food Expo will permanently settle in Qingdao, a coastal city in East China's Shandong province, according to a recent press conference held by the Qingdao sub-council of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade.

The first event will be held in the Qingdao World Expo City from September 19 to 22, 2019.

"We decide to settle the expo — an international agricultural exhibition project -- in the city of Qingdao after a comprehensive survey of the Chinese agriculture and food industry, as well as Qingdao's agriculture and exhibition services," said Zhong Gang, president of the Asia Pacific division of the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry and president of Shanghai VNU Keylong Exhibitions Service Co.

Shandong is the largest agricultural province in China and Qingdao is an economic leader in the province. The city, which hosted the 2018 Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in June, has largely expanded its global presence. All these factors help Qingdao to stand out as a host of such events.

Zhong added that efforts will be made to hold Asia's top international fair for the agriculture and food industry chain in three to five years, and build a platform of innovation display, industrial exchange and business matchmaking for Asia's largest agriculture and food industry.

About 2,000 exhibitors will bring their products to an area of 100,000 square meters in the Qingdao World Expo City. More than 100,000 people are expected to visit the expo.

A group of activities, such as meetings, forums, lectures and field surveys will also be held during the expo.