The first session of the Guangzhou Annual International Investment Conference kicked off yesterday at the Guangzhou Baiyun International Convention Center. A total of 21 projects served as the focus of the conference, which is also known as the "Guangzhou Davos forum."

Diao Ailin, Deputy Secretary-General of Guangzhou Government, stated during a press conference on Tuesday that the conference not only aims to attract investment funds but also talent and technology.

This annual convention is organized by the CPC Guangzhou Municipal Committee and the Guangzhou Municipal Government. Guangzhou’s mayor, Chen Jianhua, introduced the conference by saying, "Guangzhou is the important cargo hub, trading port and transport center in South China. In 2014, Guangzhou’s gross regional product accounted for RMB 1.67 trillion and ranked third in Chinese metropolises for the 26 consecutive year. A total of 236 of the world’s top 500 companies have invested here. The city has led "Forbes China List Of Best Cities For Business" four times."

Ma Huateng, CEO of Tencent, appeared at the conference as an important speaker. He mentioned the importance of holding hands with Guangzhou’s government for building an "internet plus" concept platform for business leaders in the city. In 2014, the Guangzhou Municipal Government had developed an online system on wechat for 17 civil service offices, including transport, residential registration, exit and entry Mainland China, fee payment, education, and local housing provident fund. In the future, more online civil service agencies will be linked on wechat to serve more residents.

The conference, titled "New Normal, New Opportunities," held 18 sub-forums on the morning of March 26 to discuss various industries and the solicitation of investment. It also released an introduction on the business-friendly environment of various agencies of government service, talent, industrial strategies and policies, as well as the city’s geographic and economics status.