The 2013 Fortune Global Forum has raised its curtains in China's western metropolis of Chengdu. Leading government officials, CEOs from the world's top 500 firms and media from around the world have gathered to attend the 3-day event.

China's Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony. He emphasized the importance of China's development, the acceleration of change to the development model and the improvement of the economic structure. This is the 12th annual forum held by Fortune magazine.

China's Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of?the 2013 Fortune Global Forum. [Xinhua]

It’s also the first one hosted by a western Chinese city, following Shanghai, Hong Kong and Beijing. Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan Province and is a rising economic engine in China's "West Development Strategy". Last year, Sichuan Province ranked in the top 10 in terms of foreign direct investment utilization.?