HAIKOU, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Han Zheng on Sunday welcomed global businesses to invest and thrive in China, as the country, with a population of over 1.4 billion, boasts vast market potential and robust momentum for consumption upgrades.

Han made the remarks when talking with the heads of exhibiting companies in Haikou, capital city of south China's Hainan Province, before attending the launch event for the fifth China International Consumer Products Expo and "Shopping in China" series.

Han encouraged global companies to make good use of the expo to expand brand influence, deepen economic and trade cooperation, and achieve mutual benefits.

Some 1,000 people, including representatives from government agencies, exhibitors, purchasing firms and diplomatic envoys to China, attended the event.

The expo, co-hosted by China's Ministry of Commerce and the Hainan provincial government, is the largest consumer expo in the Asia-Pacific region.

Themed "share open opportunities, co-create a better life," this year's expo runs from April 13 to 18, attracting over 1,700 enterprises and more than 4,100 brands from more than 70 countries and regions.