The China–Small Island States Ocean-related Ministerial Round Table will be held in Pingtan in South China's Fujian province on Thursday.

The event, jointly sponsored by the State Oceanic Administration (SOA) and Fujian Provincial People's Government, aims at establishing high-level dialogue mechanisms and partnerships with island states across the world.

Representatives from 12 island states including Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Samoa will travel to Pingtan for the meeting, which will explore the challenges faced by many island states, such as sustainable economic development and environmental protection.

Pingtan is an island city comprised of 126 islands in the Taiwan Strait. The city, which is administered by Fuzhou, hopes that hosting the meeting will further enhance its global profile.

Pingtan's status as the closest city on the mainland to Taiwan has led to it receiving strong support from the central government, as it hopes that the city can develop into a bridge between the mainland and Taiwan economies.

In July 2009, the city became the only comprehensive pilot zone in China that targets Taiwan.

In April 2015, Pingtan was included as part of the China (Fujian) Free Trade Zone.

In August 2016, the proposal to build Pingtan into an international tourism island was approved by the State Council.

Ancient stone houses line the coastline at Beigang village in Pingtan. The formerly rustic village now has changed into a cultural and creative hub for cross-Straits youth to start businesses. [Photo/Xinhua]

A panoramic view of the Aoqian Taiwan Town, a market exclusively selling duty-free Taiwan commodities in Pingtan [Photo/Xinhua]