The World Economic Forum plans to hold Summer Davos in China
every year after the inaugural event in Dalian next week, according
to its Beijing representative.
The first Annual Meeting of New Champions, or Summer Davos, will
be held in the coastal city of Dalian in North China's Liaoning
Province, from September 6 to 8.
Next year the event will be held in Tianjin, a city on the Bohai
Bay, from September 25 to 27, according to Jeremy Jurgens, chief
representative in Beijing of the World Economic Forum.
"We've put this meeting at the center of shifting powers:
China," said Jurgens, adding that the country is one of the most
influential emerging markets and a driver of the world economy.
Summer Davos will focus on the new generation of multinational
companies. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao will attend, along with more
than 1,700 participants from 90 countries and regions.
The event also aims to identify and engage the "new champions" -
the world's next generation of global leaders, fast-growing
regions, up-and-coming cities and technology pioneers.
Dalian is hosting the event in cooperation with the World
Economic Forum and the National Development and Reform
Commission.
"I hope this meeting can showcase our dynamic city to the world
and the fact that Dalian itself fits within the 'new champions'
theme," said Xia Deren, Dalian's mayor.
The Davos forum is named after the Swiss ski resort where it has
been held for the past 36 years.
(China Daily August 31, 2007)
