An event supported by Decathlon in Guangzhou, Guangdong province for cleaning up the waterways. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

French sporting goods retailer, Decathlon, plans to open new stores in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province as they hold full confidence in the business climate of the city.

Guangzhou was the first Chinese city where Decathlon deployed a full industrial chain business, with the first smart manufacturing office launched in 1994 and the first store opened in 2005 in the city.

The group is running 13 stores in Guangzhou, covering nine districts and serving more than 15 million people annually, said Penny Pan, general manager of Decathlon Guangzhou, at a round table dialogue on economic and trade cooperation between Guangzhou and the European Union held on Wednesday.

The event was organized by the Commerce Bureau of Guangzhou, the European Chamber South China Chapter and the Administrative Committee of the Guangzhou Development District.

The latest measures for attracting foreign investment to Guangzhou mean new opportunities for Decathlon, which will continue to expand its investment and introduce more forms of business, Pan said.

Decathlon continues to take a positive view of the sporting consumption potential of Guangzhou, which has an immense sporting population and warm climate.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and France, the Paris Olympics, and the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism.

Decathlon will facilitate more sports events and strategic cooperation with leading Chinese companies, Pan said.