President Xi Jinping promised to protect the lawful rights and interests of investors as hundreds of businessmen gathered in the western city of Chengdu Thursday to discuss China's economic prospects.

In a congratulatory message to the 2013 Fortune Global Forum, Xi told businessmen that China is a safe haven for investment opportunities.

"The Chinese government will, as always, protect the lawful rights and interests of investors, strengthen the protection of intellectual property rights and provide quality service to foreign companies," Xi wrote in the letter.

"We continue to welcome with open arms leading global companies to do business in China, participate in the process of China's modernization and share the success of China's reform and development," he wrote. Endi