The 2021 Xi'an Silk Road International Tourism Expo (XSRITE 2021) was held in Xi’an International Exhibition and Conference Center from 16 to 18 July, 2021. Mr. Fernando Rugris, Uruguayan Ambassador to China, Mr. Yang Guanjun, Vice Chairman of the CPPCC Shaanxi Provincial Committee, Mr. Gao Yang, Director-General of the Shaanxi Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Zhang Xilong, Deputy Director-General of the International Exchanges and Cooperation Bureau at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China, attended the Opening Ceremony and the VIP Tour. Ms. Li Yaying, Deputy Director of the Education, Culture and Tourism Division of the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), attended relevant activities upon invitation .  

This year marks the 30th anniversary of ASEAN-China dialogue relations and the ASEAN-China Year of Sustainable Development Cooperation. With a view to facilitating regional tourism recovery and development, ACC set up a booth featuring ASEAN heritage at the XSRITE 2021, distributing ASEAN tourism pamphlets and souvenirs and conducting interesting Q&As. Ms. Li Yaying extensively exchanged views with other participants on Silk Road tourism cooperation during a series of activities in Xi’an, such as the VIP Meeting hosted by Shaanxi Provincial Government, Shaanxi Tourism Promotion, and the Opening Ceremony of the XSRITE 2021.  

With the theme of “Opening-up with New Innovation Concepts and Integrating Culture and Tourism along the Silk Road”, the XSRITE 2021 attracted more than 800 cultural and tourism entities from 15 countries and regions and 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities of China. The total exhibition area covered about 42,000 square meters. ASEAN Member States (AMS), including Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand, participated in the Expo. Uruguay was the Guest Country of Honor of the Expo.