Guangzhou spreads its wings globally as a city with international reach

To date, a total of 297 of Fortune 500 companies have invested in Guangzhou and set up 921 projects. In addition, 13.78 billion yuan ($2.1 billion) has been invested in 45 projects for the development of a hub for science, technology and innovation.

Zhu Xiaoyi, deputy director of Guangzhou publicity department, said his city had a bright future.

"Guangzhou, with its beautiful, lively, open, friendly and inclusive environment, is making a name for itself as a main gateway city for China," he said.

"Guangzhou is strengthening its functions as a transportation hub, to connect the world closely."

As an important city integrated with the Belt and Road Initiative and along the ancient Maritime Silk Road, Guangzhou can access the rest of the world through its busy port, airport and railways.

Guangzhou Port's sea routes reach more than 400 ports in 100 countries. In the first six months of this year, Guangzhou Port's container handling capacity increased by 11.8 percent year-on-year.

Planes from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport could fly to more than 40 countries and regions by the end of 2016. In the first half of this year, its passenger handling capacity increased 10.8 percent year-on-year.

Last year, as an emerging global financial center, Guangzhou was ranked 37th among 88 global financial centers and the fourth nationwide.

With support from a strong transportation structure, Guangzhou is now working on its industry, innovation, talent and information networks in order to improve global travel and transportation, logistics, capital flows and communications.

Officials said Guangzhou expects to expand global cooperation by establishing sister city or friendly city relationships with 70 cities overseas.

Vasin Ruangprateepsaeng, Thailand's consul general in Guangzhou, said that 60 countries have set up consulates in Guangzhou, underlining its important role in international communications.

"I hope Guangzhou will strengthen its existing cooperation with my country in the shipping logistics sector and regard Thailand as a gateway between China and member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in the future," he added.

The Australian Consul General in Guangzhou, Dominic Trindade, said the city had long been an international communications center, as a hub for the greater bay area and a southern gateway to enter China in ancient times.

"Hosting the Fortune Global Forum here will remind people that Guangzhou has always been an important finance and communications center for China and the world," Trindade added.