BEIJING - The inaugural China-New Zealand Mayoral Forum is being held in Xiamen, a coastal city in east China's Fujian Province, on Monday.

Honored guests attend the inaugural China-New Zealand Mayoral Forum in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, Sept. 7, 2015. The event, organized by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Local Government New Zealand lobby group, has attracted more than 200 participants from the two countries, including mayors, governors, business and education leaders. [Photo/Xinhua]

The event, organized by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Local Government New Zealand lobby group, has attracted more than 200 participants from the two countries, including mayors, governors, business and education leaders.

Ma Peihua, vice chairperson of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the country's political advisory body, addressed the opening ceremony.

Ma called for more exchanges between mayors and governors of both countries.

During a visit to New Zealand in November, Chinese President Xi Jinping and New Zealand Prime Minister John Key attended a ceremony launching the forum.