Will the Nobel Prize winners speak at the forum - does it matter?

IN THE PAST MONTHS, dozens of Nobel Prize winners in economics, medical science, physics and chemistry have attended forums and conferences in China at the invitation of companies, media and local governments. Science and Technology Daily comments:

Most of the activities are commercial not academic, but nonetheless these Nobel laureates are willing to accept these invitations, not least because they are paid rather well to do so.

On their part, the organizers think these Nobel Prize winners bring them prestige. Even if some of the laureate attendees do not make a speech, their presence is believed to be enough to lift the level of the events they attend, which reflects well on the local governments and sponsors.