15th Teochew International Convention opens in Guangzhou

GUANGZHOU, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) -- The 15th Teochew International Convention opened here Wednesday, a biennial gathering of entrepreneurs originally from south China who started successful businesses abroad.

Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), sent a congratulatory message to the convention.

Jia said in the massage that the gathering was a grand event for Teochew people living worldwide and an important platform for these people to exchange and cooperate with others so as to seek for common development.

He praised the 30-year old organization for its role in bringing together Teochew people in participating China's development and reunification, as well as promoting friendship between the Chinese people and people of different countries and regions.

Li Changchun, member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Political Bureau, attended the opening ceremony.

Wang Yang, Guangdong Party chief and member of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau also attended the gathering. Zheng Wantong, vice chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, made an opening address.

More than 3,500 delegates from 27 countries and regions attended the convention.

Teochew, or Chaozhou, refers to a section of the coastal areas in south China's Guangdong Province. Many people living there migrated overseas in the past century and started flourishing businesses in other countries.

The conference has been held once every two years since 1981.