Handicrafts from Kyrgyzstan are exhibited in a booth at the 18th Investment & Trade Forum between East & West China in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province on May 23, 2014. The Forum, held jointly with the Silk Road International Exposition from May 23 to 26, will include 29 separate events to promote international trade, 20 of which will be themed around the Silk Road and economic cooperation between China and other countries. Photo: Liu Sha/GT

A total of 674 enterprises and organizations from 77 countries and regions participated in the Forum, with nearly 300 enterprises and organizations from 44 countries from along the Silk Road.

Jewelry from Tajikistan is exhibited at the 18th Investment & Trade Forum between East & West China in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province on May 23, 2014. Photo: Liu Sha/GT

An employee at the Turkey pavilion shows leather jackets to a customer at the 18th Investment & Trade Forum between East & West China in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province on May 23, 2014. Photo: Liu Sha/GT

A merchant from Turkmenistan introduces a piece of wool tapestry at the 18th Investment & Trade Forum between East & West China in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province on May 23, 2014. Turkmenistan is celebrated for its wool tapestries. Photo: Liu Sha/GT

A visitor examines a handicraft at the Uzbekistan pavilion at the 18th Investment & Trade Forum between East & West China in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province on May 23, 2014. Photo: Liu Sha/GT