BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the fourth Understanding China Conference that opened Saturday in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong province.

Economic globalization is an irreversible trend despite some difficulties it has encountered, and the interests and future of different countries are becoming increasingly interconnected, Xi said in the letter, noting that creating a better life is a common aspiration of people around the world.

As a contributor to and a beneficiary of economic globalization, China will remain steadfast in pursuing the path of peaceful development and an opening-up strategy of mutual benefit to continue adding impetus to an open world economy, Xi said.

China will work with other countries to promote economic globalization and make it more open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial to all, he said.

The fourth Understanding China Conference has gathered nearly 600 attendees, including over 30 world-famous politicians, strategists, scholars and entrepreneurs.