For the first time, the expo has set up a dedicated space for AI, the digital economy and Silk Road e-commerce. The three themed exhibitions focus on fields such as AI, robots, drones, intelligent manufacturing, new energy vehicles and autonomous driving.

Participating companies include China's agricultural drone maker XAG; autonomous driving open platform Apollo; XPeng Motors; US network infrastructure provider CommScope; and Japan's Nissen, a company of Nippon Seisen Cable.

During the expo, visitors are able to come close up to the local specialties, traditional art and tourism resources from 64 countries and regions in Asia, the Americas, Africa, Europe and Oceania.

The 2020 Guangdong 21st Century Maritime Silk Road International Expo is held in Guangzhou. CHINA DAILY

More than 20 cultural activities will be held during the expo. They include a Polish accordion performance, a Cuban salsa dance, a Panama Geisha coffee tasting and an event for promoting tourist destinations in Fiji and Zimbabwe.

Strict COVID-19 precautions have been put in place, said the expo's organizers. The health conditions of staff members are to be monitored and recorded on a daily basis. Foreign participants are required to stay in China for more than 21 consecutive days before coming to the expo. They are also encouraged to receive a full series of COVID-19 vaccine before participating.