The 15th Western China International Fair (WCIF), which is scheduled to open in Chengdu, will highlight the country's relentless efforts in developing its hinterland, Chu Xiangyin, vice director of the China Convention, Exhibition and Event Society said recently in an interview with China Economic Net.

"The previous 14 WCIF fairs provided a good platform for western development as the trade volume from the 7,000 deals signed at the fairs hit 3 trillion yuan (US$487 billion)," Chu said.

According to Chu, this year's fair will be divided into two phases, one for business investment and cooperation and the other for commodity exhibition and trading.

It is easier for people with different purposes at the fair to have clear focuses when the business investment and commodity exhibitions are scheduled at different times.

However, to build a platform for the development of the western regions, the WCIF mainly focuses on looking for investments and cooperation and the we still need to look into the commodity fair, to allow it to cater to the market, Chu said.

The government will no longer play a dominant role in the WCIF, which is becoming increasingly market-oriented and digitalized, Chu said.

According to him, the fair this year will also introduce aviation companies.

In spite of the sporadic trade conflicts among China's coastal regions, the WCIF's new role is the highly expected reinvigoration of the ancient Silk Road by inland countries and regions.