The 8th China (Guizhou) International Alcoholic Beverages Expo & 2018 Guizhou Inland Opening-up Pilot Zone Investment and Trade Fair kicked off in Guiyang, capital of Guizhou province, on Sept 9.

The four-day event is held at a 72,000-square-meter hall which can accommodate up to 3,000 stands. Eight pavilions show off various alcoholic drinks, such as flavored liquor and beer, among other things, from both China and abroad.

The monumental event attracted 28,000 exhibitors and buyers from 41 countries.

As the only alcoholic beverage expo to be certified by the Global Association of Exhibition Industry in China, it provides an important platform for exchange and cooperation within the global alcoholic beverage industry.

Data shows that a total of 293 contract projects were discussed during the event, with a total investment value of 149.5 billion yuan ($21.8 billion). Thirty-seven projects were signed at the opening ceremony, with a total contract value of 43 billion yuan.

Guizhou is known for its strong liquor industry and leading liquor brands. A total of 14 Guizhou liquor brands are recognized as "China Famous Brands". Kweichow Moutai surpassed London-based Diageo to become the leading liquor brand in the world last year.

In 2017, the sales revenue of Guizhou liquor enterprises above a designated scale increased by 40.4 percent and achieved profits of 42.2 billion yuan, ranking first in China.

The 8th China Guizhou International Alcoholic Beverages Expo & 2018 Guizhou Inland Opening-up Pilot Zone Investment and Trade Fair opens in Guiyang, Guizhou province, on Sept 9. [Photo by Zhao Yandi/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A robot promotes Heavenly Dynasty－a baijiu brand from Kweichow Moutai Co Ltd－at the 8th China (Guizhou) International Alcoholic Beverages Expo in Guiyang, Guizhou province, on Sept 9. [Photo by Zhao Yandi/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A foreign exhibitor recommends liquor to visitors at the 8th China Guizhou International Alcoholic Beverages Expo in Guiyang, Guizhou province, on Sept 9. [Photo by Zhao Yandi/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Zhao Yandi contributed to this story