On October 18, the 10th World Selenium Capital (Enshi) Selenium Products Expo and Trade Fair opened. This year’s expo, themed “Building Strength Together, Creating the Future of the Selenium Industry,” showcased cutting-edge achievements in the selenium industry and promoted cross-regional cooperation. The total value of signed industrial projects and procurement agreements exceeded 12 billion yuan.

During the opening ceremony, the “China Selenium Industry Development Index (SeI) Research Report 2024” was officially released. The Hubei Geographical Indications Operation (Enshi) Center and the Hubei Selenium Industry Intellectual Property Operation Center were simultaneously inaugurated. Market regulatory authorities from Hubei, Jiangxi, and Shaanxi provinces jointly signed a cross-regional quality enhancement cooperation agreement for the selenium industry chain. Enshi Prefecture established research collaborations with the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences and the University of Queensland, while Enshi City signed a strategic framework agreement with Wuhan Polytechnic University to further strengthen industry-academia-research collaboration and international exchanges.

Signing ceremony scene

Ten new products, including Ge Xian Mi Bird’s Nest and Huang Jing Plant Selenium Tablets, were also launched on-site, followed by a centralized signing ceremony for investment promotion. A total of 45 industrial projects valued at over 100 million yuan each were signed, with a planned total investment of 10.91 billion yuan. Additionally, 51 procurement projects were signed, totaling 1.144 billion yuan.

Ge Xian Mi Bird's Nest
Ge Xian Mi Bird’s Nest.

The expo covers an exhibition area of 18,000 square meters, featuring over 500 companies from 18 provinces and cities across China and 30 selenium-rich regions, with more than 5,000 products on display. The event will run until October 21 and will include activities such as the “Selenium and Health” Science and Technology Lecture, Enshi Selenium Tea Culture Salon, Selenium-Rich Industry Development Exchange Conference, and the “Online Selenium Expo.” The China General Chamber of Commerce and the China Association for the Promotion of International Agricultural Cooperation will also concurrently host the 2nd China Selenium Products Expo and Trade Fair.

Enterprise exhibition
Enterprise exhibition.

To date, Enshi Prefecture has established 7 million mu of selenium-rich industrial bases and nurtured 377 high-tech enterprises in the selenium field. The comprehensive total output value of the selenium industry has risen to 101.7 billion yuan, making it the prefecture’s first trillion-yuan industrial cluster. Since its inception in 2014, the Selenium Expo has attracted participation from over 40 countries and more than 3,800 enterprises, with 770 projects signed.

Exhibition scene
Exhibition scene.

World Selenium Capital (Enshi)

Enshi in Hubei Province, China, is nicknamed the “World Selenium Capital” due to its soil’s exceptionally high concentration of the essential trace element selenium. This unique geological feature is a result of selenium-rich Permian coal strata, which were distributed across the region over 200 million years ago. Today, this natural abundance supports a local economy focused on cultivating and selling a variety of nutrient-rich, selenium-enriched agricultural products.

Hubei Geographical Indications Operation (Enshi) Center

The Hubei Geographical Indications Operation (Enshi) Center is a specialized facility in Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture dedicated to promoting and protecting local products with geographical indications. It was established to support the development of regional specialties, such as the famous Enshi Yulu tea, by helping producers with branding, quality control, and market access. This initiative helps preserve traditional agricultural practices while boosting the local economy.

Hubei Selenium Industry Intellectual Property Operation Center

The Hubei Selenium Industry Intellectual Property Operation Center is a specialized institution established in Hubei Province, China, to support the region’s selenium-rich agricultural and industrial sectors. It was created to manage and commercialize intellectual property related to selenium technologies, products, and research. The center facilitates innovation and economic growth by helping local businesses protect and leverage their intellectual assets in this niche industry.

Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences

The Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences (AAHMS) is an independent, interdisciplinary body of Australia’s leading health and medical researchers and experts. It was established in 2015 to provide authoritative advice to improve the nation’s health and healthcare system. The Academy’s Fellows are elected for their outstanding contributions to the field and work to advance medical research and its translation into clinical practice.

University of Queensland

The University of Queensland (UQ) is a public research university in Brisbane, Australia, founded in 1909. It is one of the country’s oldest and most prestigious sandstone universities, originally established to address the need for higher education in Queensland. UQ is renowned for its strong research focus, beautiful campuses, and historic sandstone buildings.

Wuhan Polytechnic University

Wuhan Polytechnic University is a public university located in Wuhan, China, that was formed in 1999 through the merger of the former Wuhan Institute of Technology and three other colleges. Its history, however, traces back to the establishment of the Wuhan Food Industry School in 1951. The university focuses on disciplines such as engineering, science, and management, and has developed a reputation for its programs in light industry and food science.

China General Chamber of Commerce

The China General Chamber of Commerce (CGCC) is a prominent non-governmental business association established in 1988 to represent and serve Chinese enterprises. It plays a vital role in fostering economic cooperation, protecting the interests of its member companies, and promoting China’s business development both domestically and internationally.

China Association for the Promotion of International Agricultural Cooperation

The China Association for the Promotion of International Agricultural Cooperation (CAPIAC) is a non-profit organization established to foster international collaboration in agriculture. It focuses on facilitating exchanges, technology transfer, and partnerships between China and other countries to advance sustainable agricultural development. While its specific founding date is not widely publicized, it operates under China’s broader initiatives to modernize its agricultural sector and engage globally.