The fifth annual Forbes CEO global conference opened Tuesday in Sydney, Australia's largest city, as hundreds of protesters held demonstrations at and near Sydney Opera House, the main venue for the conference.

About 350 world's leading CEOs, presidents and senior level executives from Asia, Europe, South America, Australia and the United States will attend the three-day conference at Sydney Opera House.

The business leaders will discuss the best ways to nurture and capitalize on innovation, as well as revealing the latest international business trends at the conference, which is themed " The Next Move."

Security was beefed up at the Sydney Opera House as dozens of police began patrolling barricades on the forecourt Tuesday morning before the conference opened on Tuesday night.

The Opera House forecourt was locked down Monday for the first time, and the city's landmark will be closed for tourists until the conference closes on Thursday night.

Despite tightened security, several protesters were arrested Tuesday after they broke through a concrete and wire perimeter fence built in order to keep them away from the conference.

The official opening dinner on Tuesday night at which Australian Prime Minister John Howard addressed the attendants was originally planned at the Opera House but later was moved to the Overseas Passenger Terminal on the western side of Sydney Cove.

Although the change of venue was kept a secret until the last minute, dozens of protests moved to the new venue to continue their protest. At least one protester was taken away there. Police said one protester and two police officers received minor injuries.

Answering a question on the rise of China in an interview with Forbes Magazine editor-in-chief Steve Forbes in front of the 350 world's richest business leaders, Howard said China is very pragmatic and plays an important role in the region and the world.

He said China also plays a positive role in the Korean issue, adding "China should not be isolated."

On the Taiwan issue, Howard said the United States should keep the temperature on the issue "as low as possible."

He said he is optimistic that the Chinese government will handle the Taiwan issue well.

On the association between Australia and the United States, Howard said the close Australia-US relationship is not directed against China.

Source: Xinhua