Guangzhou's role in China's opening-up highlighted at Fortune Global Forum

Guangzhou, capital city of China's Guangdong Province, is playing a leading role in China's globalization, opening-up and foreign trade, according to Andrew Robb, former Australian Trade Minister. 

Andrew Robb, former Australian Trade Minister, is photographed at the Fortune Global Forum in Guangzhou on December 6, 2017. [Photo: Fortune Global Forum]

"Guangzhou is recognized in the business world outside of China and as a leader in China's globalization, opening-up and foreign trade, more open and aggressive, a leader in China's modernization and development and innovation," said Robb at the Fortune Global Forum, which opened in Guangzhou on December 6, 2017.

This is the first time that the Fortune Global Forum is held in Guangzhou and the fifth time in China, with previous four times in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Beijing, and Chengdu, respectively. 

Along with the opening of the event in Guangzhou on Wednesday, Robb also mentioned that the attendees of the event have gathered in the city to highlight growth and strength, creating a great opportunity for Guangzhou to present itself to world leaders. He also said that this is a very good time for Guangzhou to attract more investments in the future.

Andrew Robb, former Australian Trade Minister, is photographed at the Fortune Global Forum in Guangzhou on December 6, 2017. [Photo: Fortune Global Forum]

Seifi Ghasemi, Chairman, President and CEO of Air Products and Chemicals, said that the Fortune Global Forum is a very useful event for exchanging ideas. He also said that he is very happy that China is pursuing opening-up policies, which are very good for China and for the world. 

"The forum brings in about 400 CEOs from all over the world to visit the beautiful city, and that encourages the development of the city for sure. That is a very good thing," said Ghasemi.

With a history of more than 2,200 years, Guangzhou is the birthplace of the ancient "Maritime Silk Road." Known as the oldest foreign trade port and the only one that has never suspended operation in China, it has been dubbed the "millennial commercial city." It is one of the major commercial centers where China first implemented its reform and opening-up policy.

In 2016, Guangzhou's GDP reached approximately RMB 1.96 trillion (USD 296 billion), exceeding USD 20,000 in per capita GDP and rivaling those of Singapore and neighboring Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. A total of 297 Fortune 500 companies have invested in Guangzhou.