The central China region should strive to be the best destination for companies looking to transfer their industrial operations, Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi said on Thursday.

Wu made the remark when announcing the opening of the Exposition Central China 2007 in Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan province.

"Promoting the rise of the central region is integral to China's overall development strategy and the exposition will be continued in the long run to attract more investment from the outside world," said Wu.

The ongoing industrial transfer from the economically developed eastern China and foreign countries to central and western China meet the needs of both sides for further development, said Wu.

The six provinces of Anhui, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi and Shanxi, covering an area of 1.03 million square km and with a population of 361 million, have great economic potential and their advantages in attracting foreign capital, said Wu.

The central region should become a competitive manufacturing and high-tech base as well as a major exporter of energy, raw materials and labor resources, said Wu.

The first Expo Central China was held in Changsha, capital of Hunan Province, in September 2006.