A promotional event for northern China's Shanxi province is hosted at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing on Feb 25. [Photo/Shanxi Daily]

(Xinhua) -- A promotional event for northern China's Shanxi province was hosted at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on Feb 25.

As the 17th presentation of the MFA's Chinese provinces initiative, this Shanxi event was themed "China in the New Era: Shanxi, New Transformation for a Shared New Future."

"Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Shanxi has moved with the times and embarked on a new journey of innovative development," said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Wang added that Shanxi is vigorously promoting a greener economy and forging new industrial clusters.

Shanxi's primary goals are to build a demonstration zone in transformation and development of a resource-based economy, become a pioneer in China's energy revolution and turn itself into a landmark in opening-up among China's inland provinces, said Luo Huining, secretary of Shanxi Provincial Committee of the CPC.

Shanxi is a province that boasts a glorious history and booming development, said Clemens von Goetze, Germany ambassador to China.

He added that Germany has discovered cooperation opportunities in Shanxi since the beginning of China's reform and opening-up.

Mark Sutton, business development director with Johnson Matthey, a Britain-based global energy and chemical company, first visited Shanxi in 2005.

The environment over the past few years has become cleaner and inspiring, said Sutton, adding that Shanxi's vision to protect the environment is valued. "I wish to spend more time at Shanxi's historic sites and surrounded by natural sceneries during my next trip."

The MFA hosted its first provincial promotional event in March 2016 in order to serve national development, facilitate regional opening-up and offer foreigners a platform to learn more about China.

More than 500 people, including diplomats from over 130 countries, representatives from international organizations, business people and journalists, attended the Monday event.