ZHENGZHOU, April 8 (Xinhua) -- An international investment and trade fair opened Monday in central China's Henan Province.

More than 15,700 business delegates, including 2,566 from overseas, are taking part in the 13th China (Henan) International Investment and Trade Fair in Zhengzhou, the provincial capital, according to the organizer.

The fair covers an exhibition area of 54,000 square meters. A batch of cooperation projects is expected to be inked at the fair, with projects each worth more than 1 billion yuan (149 million U.S. dollars) to account for about one-third of all deals to be signed.

A variety of activities, including a forum on "Air Silk Road" will be held during the fair. More than 170 company executives and 43 scholars will participate in these activities.