The Second Global Geographical Indications Products Expo (GIPE), which is a major exhibition and promotion event of geographical indications, opened on September 19 in Luzhou City of southwest China's Sichuan Province.

The expo lasted for three days from September 19 to 21, with the theme of "Strengthening the protection of geographical indications to promote high-quality industrial development." A host country was set up for the first time, with Italy taking on the role, and presenting areas of six themes including tea, alcohol, fruits and vegetables as well as handicrafts, and more than 800 Chinese and foreign geographical indication enterprises from more than 20 countries and regions participated in the exhibition with about 3,000 geographical indication products.

Ning Jizhe, the vice chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission and non-executive director of the Board of Directors of China Investment Corporation, pointed out that the expo provides an international platform relying on the China-Eu Agreement on Geographical indications and an important carrier of international trade and cultural exchanges.

The opening of the expo also marked the official establishment of the China-EU Geographical Indications development Alliance, the Forum on China-EU Agreement on Geographical Indications and other 18 activities. Experts and scholars from trade associations, scientific research and investment institutions conducted in-depth analysis and evaluations on the development of geographical indication products, and provided suggestions for the cooperative development of Chinese and foreign geographical indication products.

(With input from Xinhua)