People browse items on display during the 2nd Silk Road (Dunhuang) International Cultural Expo, held from Sept 20 to 21 in Dunhuang, Gansu province. [Photo provided to silkroadexpo.gogansu.com]

The 2nd Silk Road (Dunhuang) International Cultural Expo, held from Sept 20 to 21 in Dunhuang, Gansu province, featured a range of cultural and economic activities that focus on three key components: the cultural industry exhibition and trade fair, the Silk Road cultural industry cooperation promotion conference, and auctions of cultural artworks and collectibles.

The cultural industry exhibition and trade fair, co-hosted by the Gansu Provincial Government and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, attracted over 500 companies from nearly 20 countries, including Russia, South Korea, Thailand, and Pakistan, as well as 20 Chinese provinces. A total of 124 promotional activities were held, generating a trade volume of 67.52 million yuan ($9.26 million).

The Silk Road cultural industry cooperation promotion conference highlighted the cultural and economic cooperation opportunities along the Silk Road, with 10 key projects, including six international initiatives from Italy, the UK, South Korea, Belarus, Malaysia, and Austria.

Several auctions were also held, including those for Chinese cultural relics, contemporary calligraphy, and cultural creative products, further promoting cultural exchange along the Silk Road.