President Hu Jintao said Tuesday that China will more actively pursue its strategy of opening up to the outside world, as well as promote the balanced development of foreign trade.

Hu made the remarks in a congratulatory message to a high-level economic forum held in Beijing. Trade and investment organizations from over 30 countries and regions participated in the forum.

In light of the ongoing global financial crisis, improving trade and investment environments and countering protectionism will be of great significance for trade promotion organizations, Hu said.

International trade, he said, is "an important driving force" for global economic growth against the backdrop of globalization.

He said China will continue to improve its trade and investment environment, protect and strengthen its multilateral trading system and work toward establishing a fair and reasonable global free trade system.

Hu also hailed the role of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, the forum's hosts, adding that he hopes the council will cement exchanges with its foreign counterparts.

Vice Premier Wang Qishan also attended the forum, pledging that China will open up more to the outside world.

China's huge market potential has "gradually exploded," as the country's industrialization and urbanization have increased rapidly, Wang said.

He said China welcomes investment from foreign enterprises and actively encourages domestic companies to do business overseas.

China will make efforts to create a more fair and transparent investment environment by cracking down on the production of counterfeit goods, protecting intellectual property and improving relevant laws and regulations.

Several political figures, including former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin and former speaker of the Japanese House of Representatives Yohei Kono, also attended the forum.