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Shared culture helps build bridges

"It is easy to do business here because of similar local customs and spiritual bonds," said Ma. "Also, Ningxia has its own advantages in terms of energy, agriculture, manufacturing and tourism, which make it a potential investment destination for Arab countries."

To boost trade relations and cultural communication between China and Arab countries, he said, the company plans to build the Sino International Health City, a multifunctional recreational center providing such services as medical treatment, recuperation and education.

It will be located in Yongning county in Yinchuan, capital of Ningxia.

"The project will account for 50 percent of Ningxia's GDP by 2020, and is sure to meet the surging demand of the China-Arab market," Ma said.

With an investment of $3.5 billion, it is the largest deal made by the provincial government at last year's China-Arab States Economic and Trade Forum, renamed the China-Arab States Expo.

Questions:

1. What area in China is emerging as a new driving force for development in the west?

2. How is it being developed?

3. What was the trade volume between China and Arab countries last year?

Answers:

1. Ningxia Hui autonomous region.

2. The revival of the ancient Silk Road trade route.

3. $200 billion.

About the broadcaster:

Nelly Min is an editor at China Daily with more than 10 years of experience as a newspaper editor and photographer. She has worked at major newspapers in the U.S., including the Los Angeles Times and the Detroit Free Press. She is also fluent in Korean.