China started an annual international fair in Xiamen Wednesday to promote investment and trade.

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping officially launched the event by raising a symbolic "golden key" to open the exhibition hall at the costal city of Xiamen in the southeast Fujian Province.

About 50,000 domestic and foreign businessmen are expected to take part in the four-day event, which has become one of China's most influential platform for the promotion of trade and investment.

(Xinhua News Agency September 8, 2010)