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QINGDAO, Shandong, July 5 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday sent a message of congratulations to Civil Society 20 China 2016 (C20) which kicked off in Qingdao, Shandong Province.

Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi reads a congratulatory letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping and addresses the opening ceremony of the Civil Society 20 China 2016 held in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, July 5, 2016.

In his message, Xi said civil society organizations play an important role in public affairs as well as economic and social development and the Chinese government supports their work. In the same vein, China welcomes friendly exchanges and cooperation with foreign NGOs.

He also said that in recent years the importance of C20 in interactions between governments and civil society and in global economic governance has grown through listening to the voices of society and in building consensus.

State Councilor Yang Jiechi delivered Xi's message to the opening ceremony saying that the theme of the event "Poverty Eradication, Green Development and Innovation" is in accordance with the theme of the upcoming G20 summit, showing the close attention that the civil society pays toward these fields.

The opening ceremony of the Civil Society 20 China 2016 is held in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, July 5, 2016.

China is actively reducing poverty through green development and innovation, Yang said, and will continue to support both domestic and international civil societies in those fields.

The event is co-hosted by China NGO Network for International Exchanges and the United Nations Association of China, with participants from more than 180 NGOs in over 50 countries and regions.