The 2020 Maritime Silk Road Culture and Travel Expo is scheduled to be held in Ningbo, East China's Zhejiang province, from Sept 25 to 27, according to a government press conference on Sept 22.

The expo will be held via both online and offline channels this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The offline exhibition will consist of five pavilions covering a total area of 30,000 square meters.

An online exhibition platform will also be available, on which internet influencers will promote goods through live streams.

In addition, nearly 20 events, including forums, contests, and performances will be staged alongside the expo.

Russia, as this year's guest country of honor, will showcase a dazzling array of Russian artwork and handicrafts, including manuscripts of Tolstoy's works.

In addition, more than 100 exhibits from eight other European countries will be displayed both online and offline alongside folk music performances by bands.

The event will also see cities in the Yangtze River Delta, including Shanghai, Nanjing, and Hangzhou, explore the integrated development of travel and culture in the region. 

As the expo's guest city of honor, Xiamen in East China's Fujian province plans to showcase its key culture and travel projects and enterprises.

Yanbian Korean autonomous prefecture in Jilin province and Qianxinan Bouyei and Miao autonomous prefecture in Guizhou province, which Ningbo is providing poverty relief support to, will participate in the expo, displaying local handicrafts and cultural and travel resources.

The expo will run until 8:30 pm this year and includes a food fiesta featuring 30 time-honored catering brands in the Yangtze River Delta. In addition, a permanent display venue for the expo is set to be established on Nantang Ancient Street.