The Ningxia Hui autonomous region in Northwest China is growing in stature as a world-class wine tourism destination and fostering sustainable development through responsible business practices, market insiders and participants in an industry expo said on Friday.

They made the remarks at the three-day 4th China (Ningxia) International Wine Culture and Tourism Expo, which kicked off on Friday in Yinchuan, capital of Ningxia.

Representatives of wineries, wine industry experts and executives of global wine labels heaped praise on the expo whose theme this year is"Chinese Wine, a Marvel to the World — Good Wine Originates from Unique Terroir".

More than 300 exhibitors, including over 60 renowned wineries and exhibitors from countries such as France, Australia, Italy, Spain and Chile, are participating in this year's expo.

John Barker, director-general of the International Organization of Vine and Wine, said wine is a universal language that brings people together. He said he felt this very strongly in Ningxia in general and in Yinchuan in particular.

"Despite its recent emergence, this wine region has garnered significant international attention and acclaim for its progressive and globally oriented vision and its commitment to best practices," he said.

Barker said one of the most encouraging things he discovered is the commitment of Ningxia Helan Mountain's East Foothill Wine Region to a philosophy of sustainable development that encompasses ecological conservation, technological innovation, natural harmony and people orientation.

Baudouin Havaux, chairman of CMB, an international wine competition featuring thousands of varieties of wines, said over 1,200 different wines are participating in this year's Ningxia Helan Mountain's East Foothill International Wine Competition, which is held in conjunction with the expo, up 14.5 percent over the previous edition and almost doubling the number of the first edition.

"The average score and wine quality of this year's competition have improved significantly, with many exceptional wines emerging," Havaux said. "In the past few days, the most important thing that we exchanged with the judges of the competition is the amelioration of Chinese wines. We all feel that they are getting better and better year after year."

Havaux said the CMB's 32nd edition will be held in Yinchuan next year, and he is confident that Ningxia, as a"World Wine Capital", will bring an unprecedented unique flair to the global wine industry, and deeply impress the world with the extraordinary charm of "Chinese wines".

Jose Antonio Vidal, president of the Global Wine Tourism Organization, said the GWTO awarded Ningxia the title of "Global Wine Tourism Destination" three years ago during the first edition of the expo.

He said the GWTO will strive to promote the wine region, assist in its international certification, and help build Ningxia into a high-quality and responsible wine tourism destination.

Zhang Yupu, chairman of Ningxia, said the region has emerged as the country's largest wine-producing area after more than four decades of development, with more than 600,000 mu (about 40,000 hectares) of grape plantations and 130 wineries that annually produce 140 million bottles of wine.

Contact the writers at pengchao@chinadaily.com.cn