Northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, known for its long history of producing world-class wine, is stepping up efforts to promote its products to the global market.

The region's wine quality is attributed to its latitude and climate. Similar to some of the world's best wine-growing regions, such as Napa Valley in the United States and Bordeaux in France, Ningxia's location near the 38th parallel north contributes to its superb quality.

"Our landscape is unique, fruit is concentrated in aroma and plump in size, and technology is mature," said Jia Jincai, manager of a local vineyard.

"I think it comes with the majestic sun and pure air that you have in this region, and you can capture that. Also, the schist soil that is irrigated by the fantastic mother river of China," said Juan Fernando Lugris, Uruguayan Ambassador to China.

"First, hot climates, desert climates, very dry. Second, grape, marselan, the success of the marselan. And third, the specific taste of the wine from Ningxia," said Baudouin Havaux, Chairman of the Brussels World Competition, an international competition of alcoholic beverages, wines and spirits.

To better promote its wine, Ningxia has hosted an international wine expo in its capital Yinchuan to boost exchanges and cooperation within the industry.

The three-day event, which opened Friday, gathered more than 300 exhibitors and 440 guests from eight countries and regions, including France, Italy, Spain and Chile.

"We can have a lot of activities to promote exchanges and even investments in the two sectors because we in Uruguay are absolutely open to receive foreign investment from China and to explore also how Chinese wines can penetrate the South American market. Why not? I mean the world of wine has to be a very open-minded one," said Lugris.

The event has been held for four consecutive years, and local wineries have felt its impact.

"When I first entered this industry 10 years ago, few people had heard of the concept of Chinese vineyard. It was only after the development of the Ningxia wine producing area that the concept has become widely known," said Jia.