The trade volume between China and Middle Eastern countries in the first half of this year increased 36 percent to US$120 billion from a year earlier, vice commerce minister Jiang Zengwei said during the China International Muslim Commodities Suppliers Summit in Yinchuan, capital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, on Tuesday.

The summit is hosting 200 government officials, experts and scholars, and businessmen from 47 countries and regions.

Participants explored Islamic culture, how to improve companies' soft power, international cooperation in the tourism industry, and investment in halal food and Muslim commodities.