Tianjin Municipality’s Mayor Huang Xingguo has headed a delegation to the 2009 Summer Davos Forum to promote the region and build relationships with business leaders around the world.

The three day event, also known as New Champions 2009, began on Thursday in China’s Dalian and aims to “re-launch global growth”. It is being attended by more than 1000 world leaders and business elites from over 86 countries and regions.

The delegation from Tianjin- a port city in Northern China- includes the municipal’s senior officials, as well as local business leaders.

After attending the opening ceremony of the forum on Thursday afternoon, the delegation organized a “Tianjin’s Night” social event at Dalian Shangri-La Hotel.

The party attracted over 200 guests including Flause Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum (WEF); and Zhang Xiaoqiang, vice director of the Development and Reform Commission and China’s top economic planner.

Many of the delegation members are also members of the WEF, including Tianjin Port Group and Tianjin Zhonghuan Electronics And Information Group.

WEF is the organizer of the Summer Davos Forum, which was held in Tianjin last year.

Speaking at the “Tianjin’s Night” event, Mayor Huang Xingguo said the municipality is advocating for transforming its economic development framework and developing a greener and more sustainable economy.

The delegation members also interacted with guests at the event, discussing issues concerning the Sino-Singaporean Tianjin Eco-city and aerospace project.

On his trip to Dalian, Huang also had the chance to meet with the Egyptian Minister of Investment Mahmoud Mohi Eddin; and top business leaders from multinationals including Deutsch Bank and Motorola.

By Guo Changdong