The 2010 China Investment and Trade Fair and the first China-Arab States Economic and Trade Forum began Sunday in Yinchuan, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

The five-day forum aims to strengthen investment and trade ties between China and the Arabic states.

"The forum will certainly strengthen and deepen the traditional friendship and win-win cooperation between China and the Arabic states, as well as the Muslim regions, to realize mutual development," Chinese Minister of Commerce Chen Deming said at the opening ceremony of the fair and forum.

Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu and Vice Chairman of the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Bai Lichen also attended the ceremony.