China will further open up to the world and step up its international investment cooperation, Vice Premier Wang Qishan promised on Monday.

Addressing the 12th Xiamen International Trade and Investment Fair in the east Fujian Province, Wang said the country would continue to stick to the national policy of opening up, constantly improve its policies on utilizing foreign investment and investing in foreign countries, and create more space for foreign companies to develop their business in China.

China's reform and opening up policy had significantly transformed the country in the past 30 years, and its accession to the World Trade Organization had further integrated it with the global economy, he said.

Although the country met with severe natural disasters and an unfavorable international economic environment, its coping measures made its national economy stay healthy on the whole, he said, noting it was confident in and capable of overcoming the current difficulties and challenges.

Expounding on improving its policies on utilizing foreign investment and investing in foreign countries, Wang vowed to further improve the country's investment environment including building a service-oriented government, a market of fair competition, a transparent legal environment and stable policy environment.

He also stressed lifting the quality and diversifying the means of utilizing foreign investment, and encouraging domestic enterprises to invest in foreign countries.

The Chinese government had always supported trade and investment liberalization and opposed protectionism in any form, he said, vowing to work with the world to eliminate trade and investment barriers and cope with various difficulties and challenges for global economic prosperity and stability.

Attendants of the forum are from 120 countries and regions and seven international organizations.

(Xinhua News Agency September 9, 2008)