BEIJING, March 1 (Xinhua) -- China will train more lawyers to handle foreign-related matters, the Ministry of Justice said Thursday.

File photo: VCG

Xiong Xuanguo, vice justice minister, said at a meeting that the move is aimed at safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese institutions and nationals abroad.

"The task of safeguarding state economic security and development interests and strengthening the protection of rights and interests of Chinese businesses and citizens has become increasingly onerous as China continuously pushes forward opening-up on all fronts and further implements national strategies such as the Belt and Road Initiative," Xiong said.

He said the ministry will support Chinese lawyers to play bigger roles in the country's major foreign-related economic and trade activities and increase their international competitiveness.

He also vowed to improve supporting policies for Chinese lawyers to "go global."