(Yicai Global) May 30 -- Participants in the recent 2018 China International Big Data Expo including Airbnb and China National Software & Service Company penned some 199 deals during the event totaling more than CNY35 billion (USD5.5 billion).

Authorities are also seeking investment for more than 100 extra projects covering data applications in the service and agricultural industries, with a combined value of CNY168 billion, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Jointly sponsored by China's National Development and Reform Commission and the local government, the four-day-long 2018 China International Big Data Industry Expo concluded yesterday in Guiyang, capital of southwestern Guizhou province. The event attracted some 40,000 guests including more than 30 leading academicians and leaders of Global 500 companies, as well as 400 exhibitors and media organizations.

The expo hosted eight-panel discussions and 65 forums, while enterprises and institutions used the event as a platform to unveil big data research findings such as the China Digital Economy Index Report and the Report on Digital Economy and Digital Governance, were unveiled at the Expo.

The event also played host to a global artificial intelligence competition, attracting more than 1,000 teams from 15 countries and regions around the world. The entries showcased 62 premium AI projects covering 13 practical applications, including smart city, smart healthcare and smart finance.

Founded in 2015 and upgraded to a national-level expo last year, China International Big Data Expo compliments the development of city's international industry cluster where firm's including Apple, Huawei Technologies and Tencent have set up centers.

Editor: William Clegg