XIAMEN -- The 17th China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) is expected to draw 12,500 overseas participants, the event's organizer said.

By Friday, more than 12,500 overseas clients and businessmen had applied to attend the four-day event scheduled to open on Sunday in the southeastern coastal city of Xiamen, Liu Dianxun, deputy secretary general of the event's organizing committee, said Friday.

Liu, also director of the investment promotion bureau under the Ministry of Commerce, said 670 organizations from more than 100 countries and regions have confirmed their attendance.

Among the participating groups are 250 from developed countries from Europe and North America and over 70 from emerging economies, Liu said.

The global economy is undergoing fundamental changes and faces complicated situations and the Chinese government will stay committed to the opening-up policy based on mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, Liu said.

The event will serve as a platform for domestic and overseas participants to explore investment opportunities, he said.

CIFIT, sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce, has been held annually in Xiamen since 1997.