China has created some 10 million job opportunities for the world over the past five years, Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong said on Saturday.

China also imported nearly US$500 billion worth of goods annually from the world since its entry into the World Trade Organization in 2001, Zeng said while giving a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Meeting 2006 at this small town of China's southernmost province of Hainan.

Highlighting the opportunities of development China has brought to the world over the past years, Zeng specified that China's imports from Asian countries and areas increased 20 percent year-on-year to hit US$440 billion in 2005, accounting for 67 percent of China's total volume of imports.

Overseas investment by Chinese companies has increased by over 20 percent annually, with 80 percent of it made in Asia, according to Zeng.

In 2005, 31 million Chinese paid visits to overseas scenic spots, making Asia their favorite destination, said Zeng, adding that this has played and will continue to play an important role in promoting economic growth in Asia and the world.

About 850 Chinese and overseas officials, business people and scholars are present at the activities of the BFA annual meeting, which carries the theme of "new opportunities for Asia."

(Xinhua News Agency April 22, 2006)