The 19th Cross-Straits Fair for Economy and Trade, which attracted large crowds in Fuzhou, the capital of the southeastern Fujian province, recently concluded after five busy days.

The fair, which started on May 18, attracted 352,100 visitors to the 12,000-square-meter exhibition space at the Fuzhou Haixia International Conference and Exhibition Center, where 2,000 enterprises from 59 countries and regions either staged exhibitions or participated in other business activities.

The cross-Straits fair derives from the Fuzhou International Investment Promotion Month which started in 1994, and this year returned to its origin as an investment promotion.

Participating enterprises signed deals to develop 145 investment projects, involving funds of 270.5 billion yuan ($39.2 billion). Of the total, 60 projects involve a minimum investment of 1 billion yuan each; and seven projects have a minimum investment of 10 billion yuan.

The sourcing fair on May 19 and 20 gathered competitive products from across the world, including farm produce, textiles and clothing, and financial products.

Besides showcasing products, many exhibitors staged art performances to display cultural strengths and attract visitors.

Folk dancing attracts attention at the pavilion of the Tibet autonomous region at the 19th Cross-Straits Fair for Economy and Trade. [Photo/Fuzhou Evening News]

Many families rush to purchase goods at the fair on May 21. [Photo/Fuzhou Evening News]

A sea of visitors descends on the site of the fair in Fuzhou, Fujian province, on May 22, the last day of the event. [Photo/Fuzhou Evening News]