The 8th China (Guizhou) International Alcoholic Beverages Expo & 2018 Guizhou Inland Opening-up Pilot Zone Investment and Trade Fair successfully came to an end in Guiyang, the capital of Guizhou province, on Sept 12, having attracted 345,000 visitors over its four-day run.

With 28,000 exhibitors and buyers from 41 countries attending, the event was held in a 72,000 square meter hall able to accommodate up to 3,000 stands. The event featured eight pavilions stocked with an array of international and Chinese alcoholic drinks, including flavoured liquor and beer.

Yanbo Liquor, a Guizhou-based liquor brand known as "people's liquor", was particularly popular with visitors. Its sales revenues reached 3.33 million yuan ($485,366) on the expo's opening day alone.

The event was not only a chance to introduce Guizhou liquor to the world, but also to promote the development of liquor industries in the region. In 2017, the output value of Guizhou liquor enterprises above designated size reached 90.24 billion yuan and achieved profits of 42 billion yuan, accounting for approximately 35 percent of the whole country.

At present, a total of 14 Guizhou liquor brands are recognized as "China Famous Brands". Last year Kweichow Moutai surpassed London-based Diageo to become the world's leading liquor brand.

Along with the 2018 Guizhou Inland Opening-up Pilot Zone Investment and Trade Fair, the event aimed to encourage deeper economic and trade links among participants.

According to Qian Keming, deputy minister of commerce, the expo has become an important exchange and cooperation platform for the global liquor industry.

Almost 300 contract projects were discussed during the event, with a total investment value of 149.5 billion yuan. Thirty-seven projects, cumulatively worth 43 billion yuan, were signed at the opening ceremony.

In addition to influential conferences and exhibitions, the province will continue to support the liquor industry through its policy making. By 2020, Guizhou’s liquor output is expected to reach 800,000 kiloliters and achieve an industrial output value of 120 billion yuan by 2020.

The 8th China (Guizhou) International Alcoholic Beverages Expo & the 2018 Guizhou Inland Opening-up Pilot Zone Investment and Trade Fair concludes in Guiyang, Guizhou province, on Sept 12. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Zhao Yandi contributed to this story