The China-Shanghai Cooperation Organization Demonstration Zone for Local Economic and Trade Cooperation in Qingdao, also referred to as the Qingdao SCO zone, has made a splash at the ongoing fifth China International Import Expo in Shanghai.

An exhibition showcasing China's 10 years of achievements in opening-up is being held at the fifth CIIE. At the exhibition, a mini version of the Pearl International Expo Center of the Qingdao SCO zone has attracted much attention from domestic and foreign merchants.

People look at the mini version of the Pearl International Expo Center of the Qingdao SCO zone, which is being exhibited at the fifth CIIE. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"There is a special exhibition area of Iranian products and customs in the Qingdao SCO zone expo center, which makes me excited. It will definitely be an important platform to link trade between Iran and China in the future," said the commercial counselor of the Iranian Embassy in China.

As a landmark project of the Qingdao SCO zone, the international expo center is the focal point for Shandong province and Qingdao to promote the in-depth integration of bilateral and multilateral capital, technology and talents among SCO member countries and countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, said Zhang Xinzhu, director of the zone's administrative committee.

The Qingdao SCO zone promotes its achievements in opening-up at the fifth CIIE. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The Qingdao SCO zone also has a special exhibition area at this year's CIIE, displaying more than 100 kinds of special food products from SCO member countries, including Indian spices, Iranian saffron and Azerbaijani pomegranate juice.

The Qingdao SCO zone is designed to create a better platform for international cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, and develop collaborations in logistics, trade, investment, tourism and culture.

Currently, 28 international and domestic freight trains have been regularly operated in the zone, connecting 52 cities and 22 countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.

The Qingdao SCO zone exhibition area promotes food products from SCO member countries. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]