The first preparatory meeting for the 21st China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) is held in Beijing on April 8. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The first preparatory meeting for the 21st China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) was held in Beijing on April 8.

Sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce, the 21st CIFIT is scheduled to take place in Xiamen, East China's Fujian province, from Sept 8 to 11.

Themed on new opportunities for international investment under new development patterns, the upcoming event will revolve around the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), the BRICS Partnership on the New Industrial Revolution, the Belt and Road Initiative, and bilateral and multilateral regional cooperation.

Wang Shouwen, standing deputy director of the CIFIT organizing committee and vice-minister of commerce, said that the 21st CIFIT is an important platform for showcasing the country's achievements in COVID-19 prevention and control and economic and social development and for promoting global cooperation.

This year's event will take better advantage of its online platform, added Wang.

Guo Ningning, deputy director of the CIFIT organizing committee and vice-governor of Fujian, said that this year's event means a lot as this year marks the first year of the 14th Five-Year Plan and the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China.

She noted that the province will carefully plan the major activities during the upcoming fair, including forums, conventions, exhibitions, and project matchmaking activities, and upgrade the online platform.

Lin Jian, deputy director of the CIFIT organizing committee and deputy mayor of Xiamen, said that the city will step up efforts to organize the annual fair, attract high-level exhibitors, and promote cooperation between high-quality projects and investors.

Highlights of the upcoming event were also unveiled at the meeting.

The 21st CIFIT will include four areas – a central exhibition area, an investment promotion pavilion, an investment service pavilion, and a BRICS Partnership on the New Industrial Revolution pavilion.

The 2021 International Investment Forum, one of the major activities of the CIFIT, is expected to feature government officials, renowned economists, and representatives from Global Fortune 500 companies, who will voice their opinions on global investment development trends.

Project-matchmaking activities during the event will center around new-generation information technology, high-end equipment manufacturing, biotechnology, energy conservation and environment protection, and the digital economy.

The Philippines and Northeast China's Heilongjiang province were announced as the guest country and province of honor for this year's CIFIT at the meeting.