NDRC official: Summer Davos should become a permanent event

By Qi Xiao (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-09-03 19:34

Beijing: An official with the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said Thursday that China hopes the "Summer Davos" conference will become a permanent event in the future.

Speaking at the press conference before the event, Li Bin, Deputy Director-General of NDRC’s Department of Foreign Affairs, said the Chinese government fully supports the idea that the "Summer Davos in Asia" be held every year in China.

"We hope it could turn into a long-term, permanent event in the future," Li said, "The Chinese government attaches great importance to the 'Summer Davos'. The fact that Premier Wen Jiabao attended the previous two meetings and will do it again this year just shows the support from the Chinese government."

In 2007, the World Economic Forum (WEF), which is famous for its annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, launched "The Annual Meeting of the New Champions," commonly known as the "Summer Davos," in China. The event has been held annually since then, with the city of Dalian and Tianjin Municipality as the first two host cities. This year's meeting will return to Dalian.

The conference will be mainly focused on green economy, innovation and economic growth, and its theme is "Re-launching Growth."

As of Thursday, more than 1,300 participants from 86 countries and regions were confirmed to take part in this year's meeting, including the President of Latvia, the Prime Minister of Macedonia, and the Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam, among other prominent figures.

"Summer Davos" will hopefully become a platform for China to demonstrate its national image and achievements and it will also help promote exchanges between Chinese and foreign enterprises, Li added.

Li Wancai, Acting Mayor of Dalian, who attended the press conference, also expressed his hope that the "Summer Davos" be held on a permanent basis, and more importantly, he said, with Dalian as its base.

"Dalian held the first 'Summer Davos' in 2007 and we have got the hardware as well as the software," Li Wancai said, "but the decision is up to the WEF."

But Jeremy Jurgens, Senior Director and Senior Director at the World Economic Forum, and Head of Annual Meeting of the New Champions, was also at the press conference, and he stopped short of endorsing the two suggestions.

"All our energies are currently focused on a warm reception for this year's participants" he said. "The decision on future locations will be taken after the meeting."