The Qingdao SCODA Pearl International Expo Center undergoes its finishing touches on Monday before it opens on Sept 30 in Qingdao, Shandong province. [Photo by ZHANG JINGANG/FOR CHINA DAILY]

International venue in Qingdao to hold exhibitions, conferences when it opens

An iconic international expo center in Qingdao, Shandong province will open on Sept 30 to promote trade, investment and cultural cooperation among countries under the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

The Qingdao SCODA Pearl International Expo Center, located in the core area of the China-Shanghai Cooperation Organization Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Area, started construction in February this year.

At the 18th meeting of the SCO Heads of State Council in June 2018, President Xi Jinping announced the Chinese government's support for the project to develop SCODA in Qingdao.

Li Gang, executive deputy director of the administrative committee of SCODA, said that the expo center will hold an inauguration ceremony and opening ceremony of its SCO elements cultural exhibition area from Sept 30 to Oct 7.

Other activities such as the achievement exhibition for the demonstration area, the literature and art exhibition and shows, the food festival and the national style photography exhibition for SCO countries will also be held during the period, Li said.

"As a landmark project of the SCODA, the international expo center is the focal point for Shandong province and Qingdao to promote a wider range of in-depth integration of bilateral and multilateral capital, technology and talent among SCO countries and countries involved in the Belt and Road," he said.

Viewed from above, the venue is centered on seven groups of shell shapes and connected by a flowing white roof. Its overall design integrates the elements of the SCO, Qingdao's coastal characteristics, Shandong cultural heritage and the image of China's openness and inclusiveness, according to Li.

The expo center has an area of about 168,800 square meters and is composed of four parts: a comprehensive museum, a cultural exhibition area of SCO elements, a multifunctional museum and a central square.

The center integrates the functions of holding conferences and exhibitions, sightseeing and tourism, commodity exhibition, cultural exchange and commercial services, and is committed to building an important platform and carrier for bilateral and multilateral exchanges with the SCO.

The SCO culture elements exhibition zone, as an important part of the expo center, will provide an exhibition hall of the same size for each SCO member state, observer state and dialogue partner state.

Using digital technology, the exhibition zone will be an important window for the public to understand the history and culture of SCO countries.

While introducing the expo center at a presentation in late August, Sohail Khan, deputy secretary-general of the SCO, said that SCODA has created conditions for interregional cooperation among SCO member states, observer states and dialogue partners in areas such as business development, international logistics, e-commerce, tourism and innovation.

The expo center in Qingdao will further trade, investment and cultural cooperation among SCO states, said Khan.

Since its inception, SCODA has integrated into and served the development of the SCO, vigorously promoting international logistics, modern trade, mutual investment cooperation, business, tourism and cultural exchanges and the construction of the China-SCO Institute of Economy and Trade.

SCODA has run more than 2,000 international freight trains and held foreign aid and economic and trade training sessions for 6,100 people, offering a new platform for international cooperation.