Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao (C) poses for a group picture with guests attending the opening ceremony of Eco Forum Global Annual Conference Guiyang 2014 in Guiyang, capital of southwest China's Guizhou Province, July 11, 2014. Li addressed the opening ceremony Friday. (Xinhua/Ou Dongqu)

An international forum on environmental protection opened on Friday in Guiyang, capital of southwest China's Guizhou Province.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said in a congratulatory letter to the Eco Forum Global Annual Conference Guiyang 2014 that China, together with other countries and international groups, will strengthen cooperation in environmental protection and work to fulfill international environmental protection conventions.

The theme of the forum this year, "joining hands, leveraging reforms to bring forth a new era of eco-civilization -- government, enterprise and civil society: institutional framework and paths toward green development," reveals the role of China's reform in the green drive as well as the common responsibility borne by the government, enterprises and the public on the matter, Li said in the letter.

Around 1,000 guests, including representatives from 61 countries and regions, have gathered to share opinions and experiences on climate change, clean technology, green production, and legislation on environmental protection before the conference closes on Saturday.

Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao attended the opening ceremony.

The Eco Forum is an independent international organization committed to improving the world by engaging business, political, academic and other leaders in the shaping of global, regional and industry agendas.