CHONGQING, Dec. 4 -- The sixth World Chinese Economic Forum opened in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality on Thursday.

Addressing the event, Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao called on overseas Chinese entrepreneurs to seize opportunities to promote world economic recovery and serve as a bridge for closer exchanges and cooperation between China and the foreign countries they live in.

While the world economy is recovering slowly, governments, entrepreneurs and the public of various countries should work together to share development opportunities and push forward reform and innovation of development patterns, he said.

China sticks to peace, development, and cooperation, he said. The country seeks a win-win situation and expects to join hands with countries around the world to promote global economic prosperity, Li said.

Sun Zhengcai, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee, attended the forum together with Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Hor Nam Hong and former Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

The forum, themed "balanced growth and shared prosperity," drew some 500 business people from over 20 countries and regions.