A major Forum has opened in northwest China's Yinchuan city to promote investment between China and Arab states. It also coincides with the 2010 China Investment and Trade Fair.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Chinese Minister of Commerce, Chen Deming said the forum will strengthen and deepen the traditional friendship and enhance win-win cooperation between China and Arab states, as well as Muslim regions, to realize mutual development.

The five-day forum and fair has attracted more than 6,000 government officials and businessmen from 66 countries, regions and international organizations.

Jordanian leaders say their country welcomes China's enterprises to invest in energy and water resources and also in other promising fields, including hi-tech industries, food processing and electrical manufacturing.

Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region is home to at least 10 percent of China's 20 million Muslims. It has drawn up plans to expand trade and economic cooperation with the world's Muslim community.

Arab states are a large market with a population of 339 million. They rely on oil and gas production but lack a manufacturing base, while China is a large importer of oil and its machinery exports take up a large market share.