This undated photo shows a bird's eye view of Qianhai of Shenzhen, Guangdong province, China. [PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY]

Guangdong province will offer more business and investment opportunities to foreign investors, according to Zhang Xin, deputy governor, said on Wednesday.

He said the government would further improve and optimize the business environment, build more platforms and create more spaces for foreign companies to expand in the province, which is a major production base for the world.

Zhang made his remarks at a special event in Guangzhou that was focused on presenting Guangdong's "Invest in China Year".

Zhang said Guangdong has now established economic ties and trade relations with more than 130 countries and regions, and that more than 350 companies listed among the world's top 500 have now set up production facilities and subsidiaries in Guangdong.

Zhang Jinsong, director-general of the Guangdong Department of Commerce, said the province has the largest population, GDP, foreign trade and consumption in the country.

Guangdong, whose population exceeds 127 million, has a relatively developed and complete industrial system in major industrial sectors, as well as great innovative strength and sound business environment, he said.

Known as the southern gateway of China, Guangdong has advanced communication facilities, nine airports and major shipping ports which have opened many international routes linking it to other parts of the country and the rest of the world. Guangdong also has advanced high-speed railways and expressway networks to connect it with major cities on the mainland and in Hong Kong and Macao.

Zhang promised to further improve the investment climate and introduce more preferential policies to draw investment from around the world.

Sino-foreign companies signed 74 cooperative projects with a total investment of more than 90.5 billion yuan ($13.5 billion) during event.

Senior officials from the central government and Guangdong province, along with consuls general and senior business executives from around the world, attended the event to demonstrate China's confidence and determination to advance higher standard opening-up and promote high-quality development in the new era.

In addition to business negotiations, officials visited the pilot free trade zones of Nansha (Guangzhou), Qianhai (Shenzhen) and Hengqin (Zhuhai) to seek more investment and cooperation opportunities.