A group of expats at the 13th International Wine Exposition. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The 13th Yantai International Wine Exposition kicked off in the coastal city of Yantai, Shandong province on June 16, and will last for three days until June 18.

This year's event highlights Yantai's role as the only "International Grape and Wine City" in Asia, and aims to promote the integrated development of the city's wine industry.

Measuring 21,000 square meters, this year's expo has three exhibition halls - a vineyard boutique halls, an internationally renowned brand hall and a grape wine industrial chain hall. 

The exhibition area and the number of participating companies have increased significantly compared to previous years and the expo has attracted numerous well-known wine brands and new products from home and abroad.

Jose Antonio Vidal, president of the Global Wine Tourism Organization (GWTO), delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the expo. He said that China and Yantai have over the past three years made efforts to preserve traditions and promote the innovative development of the wine industry. He also spoke highly of Yantai's efforts in deepening cooperation with GWTO to accelerate the integrated development of its wine industry and the local culture and tourism sector.