The 2014 International Investment Forum opened in Xiamen International Convention Center on the morning of September 8, on the sidelines of the 18th China International Fair for Investment and Trade. Vice Premier Wang Yang attended the forum with the theme of “Open, Creation and Common Win” and delivered a keynote speech. Also attending and addressing the forum was Minister of Commerce Gao Huchen.

Gao said in his address that many countries and regions in the world have set up various types of special economic parks and the development of these parks have not only promoted national industries and trade, but also become an important carrier for international investment and played a specific function and role in global economy.

Gao stressed that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of China’s first batch of national economic and technical development zones. For 30 years, development zones have greatly promoted the process of China’s reform and opening up, which has not only pushed forward the development of China’s economy and society, but also enriched the theory and practice of the development of special economic regions in the world. With further adjustment of the Chinese economic structure, development zones are in a critical period of transformation and development and are faced with both new opportunities and challenges. It is hoped that in the future, development zones can better play an active role in promoting international capital flow and continuously sound recovery of world economy.

At the meeting, Laotian Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat Lengsavad, Malaysian Prime Minister’s Special envoy to China Huang Jiading, Secretary-General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization Li Yong, CEO of the International Finance Corporation Cai Jinyong and Deputy Manager of the CCTV made speeches respectively.

The forum was co-hosted by the Ministry of Commerce and the CCTV. More than 800 people, including government officials and businesspersons from more than 100 countries and regions and representatives from relevant international organizations, attended the forum.