4th Eastern Economic Forum opens in Russia's Vladivostok

World leaders and business tycoons gathered in Russia's Far Eastern port city of Vladivostok to discuss cooperation at the fourth Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) that opened Tuesday.

A security guard patrols with a dog outside the venue ahead of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia, on Monday, Sept. 10, 2018. [Photo: Bloomberg via Getty Images/Andrey Rudakov]

The three-day forum under the theme of "The Far East: Expanding the Range of Possibilities" has attracted thousands of attendees from more than 60 countries.

The participants will share their ideas around topics of international cooperation in Far Eastern development, industry priorities in the Far East, tools to support investors and measures to improve living conditions.

There will be also cultural, sports and educational programs during the forum.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the EEF this year at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. It will be the first time for the Chinese head of state to participate in the event.

Founded by Putin in 2015, the annual EEF has served as an important venue for face-to-face dialogue among politicians, business executives and experts for Far Eastern development and regional cooperation.