BUCHAREST - The official opening of the largest Chinatown in Southeast Europe on Tuesday gathered Romanian, Chinese and Turkish officials, as well as representatives of the business community and local citizens.

The Chinatown project, with an estimated investment of 150 million euros (around $ 212 million), covers an easily accessible area of 40 hectares in the Afumati Commune, 16 km northeast to Bucharest.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Romania's Prime Minister Emil Boc said the project was a "positive message for other potential investors."

The Prime Minister expressed his hope that it would become a tourist attraction for Romanians and Europeans that fancy the Chinese lifestyle and products, and for all those who combine entertaining with shopping.

Chinese Ambassador to Romania Liu Zengwen, also present at the ceremony, said the Chinatown premises was the result of the "excellent Romanian-Chinese-Turkish cooperation."