A visitor tries a VR-based remote grasping robot at the 2023 World Manufacturing Convention in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 20, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

A total of 587 investment projects worth 342.5 billion yuan (about 47.75 billion U.S. dollars) have been signed at the 2023 World Manufacturing Convention, which kicked off Wednesday in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, according to the organizer.

Projects in the manufacturing sector accounted for around 90 percent of the total to reach 534, with an investment volume totaling 306 billion yuan.

Covering an area of 80,000 square meters, the five-day event will highlight smart manufacturing, and will feature an opening ceremony, exhibitions, summits, and forums.

Held since 2018, the World Manufacturing Convention has attracted over 14,800 participants to date, injecting new momentum into global manufacturing development.