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Asia-Pacific city summit to be held in Dalian
By hu Chengpei and Zhang Xiaomin (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2008-09-28 14:38

DALIAN: Government officials from 42 cities in the Asia-Pacific region gathered this weekend to exchange opinions on the urban problems caused by rapid economic expansion in the region in the coastal city of Northeast China’s Liaoning province.

More than 200 officials from 13 countries will attend the eighth Asia-Pacific City Summit, including city leaders from Japan, South Korea, Australia, and Southeast Asian countries.

In addition to 20 of the 26 member cities, more than 20 other cities are invited to attend this year’s summit. Countries like Thailand, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka are being represented in the event for the first time.

The event is to hold forum and discussions focusing on various topics such as responsibility of the new champion cities in the region, regional cooperation, and the economic and social sustainable development of the cities.

Leaders from 14 cities will give speeches at the event, introducing their achievements and sharing successful experiences.

John Howkins, known as the father of Britain's creative industry, will attend the event and give a keynote address Monday on culture and creation.

Inaugurated in Japan’s Fukuoka in 1994, the summit has been held every other year since then. It has 26 member cities from 13 countries, including four Chinese cities: Shanghai, Guangzhou, Dalian, and Urumchi.