XI'AN, March 17 (Xinhua) -- A Silk Road expo will be held in June in Xi'an city in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, the eastern end of the ancient trans-Asian trade routes, provincial authorities announced Friday.

The Silk Road International Exposition, or the 21st Investment and Trade Forum for Cooperation between East and West China, will be held from June 3 to 7, according to the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Shaanxi Sub-Council.

There will be 12 exhibition halls, with a total area of 300,000 square meters. About 20 meetings and forums focusing on the economic belt and common development will be held during the expo.

The Republic of Serbia has been confirmed as the guest of honor of this year's expo. The expo is expected to enhance cooperation on food processing, tourism and manufacturing industry between the two countries.

Other countries along the Silk Road, including India and Uzbekistan, will also participate.