CHONGQING, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The Eighth Western China International Fair for Investment and Trade opened in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality on Thursday, and saw the signing of 212 contracts totaling over 150 billion yuan (about 22 billion U.S. dollars).

Themed "New Western China, New Manufacturing, New Services," the fair, running until May 24, features nearly 40 symposiums, along with investment and trade matchmaking events and consumption promotion activities.

According to the organizing committee, the signed projects span a wide range of sectors, including advanced materials and energy. Among them, 57 projects each involve investments exceeding 1 billion yuan.

Covering a total exhibition area of 150,000 square meters, this year's fair has attracted nearly 1,400 enterprises from 50 countries and regions. Britain serves as the guest country of honor.

The fair also released a catalog -- the Invest in Chongqing List of Opportunities -- for the first time. The list includes 277 cooperation projects and aims to highlight Chongqing's opportunities in advanced manufacturing, green and low-carbon development, and the digital economy.