XIAMEN - China will maintain prominent advantages in the investment environment in the long, but foreseeable future, Minister of Commerce Chen Deming said Thursday.

As one of the world's largest markets, China is implementing its strategy of increasing domestic demand, creating huge opportunities for foreign investors, Chen told a forum held at the 15th China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) which opened Wednesday in China's southeastern coastal city of Xiamen.

China's comprehensive industrial facilities and infrastructures, abundant human resources as well as close links to the outside world offer investors staunch support, he said.

He also said that China is challenged by a series of new problems, including environmental and resources restrictions as well as rising labor costs.

China will make more efforts to increase imports while stabilizing exports, he said.