The launching ceremony of the 2016 "Tai'an business trip for foreign experts" event was held on June 29 in Tai'an, East China's Shandong province, iqilu.com reported.

Some 80 experts from 24 countries including the US, Italy, France, Belarus and the UK attended the annual event, which this year sought experts of a higher level than in previous years.

Tai’an mayor Wang Yunpeng delivered a speech at the launch ceremony, in which he stressed that a stable, open and prosperous Tai'an cannot develop itself in isolation from the world. He said that the Tai'an government will continue to implement its opening-up strategy of achieving mutual benefits and win-win results, complete with the long-term strategic mission of bringing in foreign intellectual resources, and promote international communication and cooperation.

Wang added that Tai'an highly values the contributions foreign experts have made to the economy in the city in recent years. Under the guidance and support of the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs Department and the Human Resources and Social Security Department of Shandong province, Tai'an aims to integrate both domestic and international business and introduce more high-level talents, which are sorely needed, in the city's traditional and strategic emerging industries.

Wang also expressed hope that the event will help to establish an interactive platform for local enterprises and foreign experts and bring about more opportunities for local economic development.

The Tai'an government appointed and recruited foreign experts as senior advisors during the opening ceremony. It also signed a letter of mutual intent with several foreign talent agencies and organizations to pave the way for future cooperation.