[1][2] The Chinese name of the exposition refers to Nanyang, a region that includes Jiangsu, Jiangxi, and Anhui.
At the time, these provinces were all under the Viceroy of Liangjiang, so the event was meant to be an exposition of the entire region.
[1] On December 15, 1908, Duanfang, Viceroy of Liangjiang, and Chen Qitai [zh], Governor of Jiangsu Province, submitted a petition to the Qing Court proposing that China host an international exposition.
[3] A site of about 41 acres near San Pai Lou was established for the exhibition, in Nanjing's Jiangning District.
Exhibits came from all over China as well as Japan, Java, the United States, France, Great Britain, and Germany.