(Yicai Global) March 17 -- The Chinese government plans to make a concerted push to attract and make use of more foreign investment in the country under the banner of ‘The Year to Invest in China.’

To that end, China’s commerce ministry will for the first time this year organize a series of events that will include exhibitions and forums, spokesperson Shu Jueting told Yicai Global during a press conference yesterday. 

The ministry will also arrange overseas exhibitions for Chinese firms, bearing in mind the industrial development and investment attraction needs of various regions, Shu said. It will give full play to overseas business and investment promotion agencies and support targeted investment abroad, she added.

The ministry also plans to highlight China's characteristics and enhance mutual understanding by holding special foreign investment promotional activities in Chinese provinces, such as the first ever ‘Expo in Jilin’ in the northeastern province.

The event will focus on Jilin's advantageous industries, inviting exhibitors and institutions from the auto, food, equipment manufacturing, and medical and health sectors. Preparations for the exhibition, to be held from March 22 to 24, are ongoing.

Chinese and foreign firms can now join in-person exhibitions after the easing of Covid-19 curbs in China, Shu added. The China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, will kick off in spring, she noted.

Started in 1957, the Guangzhou-based fair is China's largest and oldest international trade event with the most exhibition categories and most buyers.

The 133rd China Import and Export Fair will be held in three phases from April 15 to May 5, the commerce ministry said yesterday. The exhibition area will be expanded from 1.18 million square meters to 1.5 million sqm.

Editors: Shi Yi, Martin Kadiev