In the run-up to the World Internet Conference (WIC) Digital Silk Road Development Forum, Shaanxi province in Northwest China hosted an investment matchmaking event on April 15 to promote investment and cooperation opportunities for the province's digital economy. The forum will be held in Xi'an, the provincial capital on April 16.

Boasting a cluster of universities and research institutes, sound business environment and great digital infrastructure, Shaanxi province is expected to make more contributions to the construction of the 21st Century Digital Silk Road, said Chen Chunjiang, vice governor of Shaanxi province.

Last year, the province's digital economy reached around 1.4 trillion yuan ($155.1 billion), accounting for more than 40 percent of its GDP. The added value of key digital product manufacturing industries increased by 18 percent.

The matchmaking event witnessed the signing of a dozen of cooperation deals among industrial heavyweights, including Cainiao Smart Logistics Network, iFlyTec Company and 360 Digital Security Group. The total contract investment added up to 2.42 billion yuan while intended investment reached 5.3 billion yuan.