The China International Fair for Investment and Trade is to be built into a landmark event under the "Invest in China" initiative and a key public platform to promote two-way investment, a senior Chinese investment promotion official has said. The same official talked up its potential of playing an increasingly vital role in guiding global capital flows, stabilizing global industrial and supply chains, and advancing international industrial investment cooperation worldwide.

Yu Guangsheng, deputy director general of Investment Promotion Agency of the Ministry of Commerce, made the remarks at the Guangzhou Promotion Symposium for the 26th China International Fair for Investment and Trade in the Guangdong provincial capital on Thursday.

Focusing on the theme of "Expanding Two-way Investment, Jointly Promoting Global Development", the fair will further advance the integrated planning, mutual reinforcement and coordinated development for foreign investment attraction and outbound investment, said Yu.

"A series of events, including policy releases, thematic seminars and investment matchmaking sessions, will be organized to help promote two-way investment during the coming fair," he said.

"Centering on the needs of guest country of honor, guest province of honor, major participating countries and key financial institutions, the fair will organize two-way investment promotion activities, publicize the strengths of the policy environment to create more opportunities for investors and investees," according to Yu.

Finland will be the guest country of honor, with Guangdong being the guest province of honor this year.

The 26th session of the annual event will take place in the coastal city of Xiamen, East China's Fujian province, between Sept 8 and 11.

Chen Min, Secretary of CPC leading group of Xiamen bureau of commerce, said the fair will be held at Xiamen International Expo Center for the first time, with a total exhibition area of more than 200,000 square meters.

"Leveraging the new venue and expanded space, we will elevate event standards to match top-tier exhibitions at home and abroad," she said.

"Meanwhile, we will deliver round-the-clock, refined and professional services to steadily enhance participants' experience and sense of gain," said Chen.

The annual fair, first held in Xiamen in 1997, is hosted by the Ministry of Commerce and the co-hosts include United Nations Trade and Development, United Nations Industrial Development Organization, World Trade Organization, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, International Finance Corporation and World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies.