The First Overseas Chinese Import Expo opens in Qingtian county, Zhejiang province, Nov 17. [Photo/Chinanews.com]

More than 750 exhibitors and 2,200 purchasers from 30-plus countries and regions are attending the First Overseas Chinese Import Expo which started in Qingtian county, Lishui, Zhejiang province, Nov 17.

Hosted by Zhejiang's commerce department, Zhejiang Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese and Lishui government, the expo has successfully attracted over 10,000 kinds of imported wine and 50,000 kinds of global commodities for daily use. An assortment of activities, including matchmaking meetings, auctions and promotion conferences, are being staged in Qingtian.

Sheng Qiuping, director of the province's commerce department, said the import expo is an extension of the just-concluded China International Import Expo in Shanghai and will help to improve local foreign trade.

Meanwhile, Sheng said he hopes the talent of overseas Chinese could be better utilized for the further opening-up of Qingtian and Lishui.

Qingtian county is renowned for its large international population. Due to its isolation and lack of resources, emigration from the small county to overseas countries has a history dating back to the 1800s. Currently, there are around 330,000 Qingtian people living or working abroad in 128 countries and regions.

In the past three years, Qingtian has attracted investment of 500 million yuan ($72 million) from overseas Chinese, and more than 160 overseas Chinese have funded companies, providing 2,000 new jobs for local residents.

Foreign merchants discuss wine products at the First Overseas Chinese Import Expo in Qingtian county, Zhejiang province, Nov 17. [Photo provided to ezhejiang.gov.cn]

Guests taste wine at the First Overseas Chinese Import Expo in Qingtian county, Zhejiang province, Nov 17. [Photo provided to ezhejiang.gov.cn]