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CHINA> News
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Global challenges in spotlight at third WEF
By Wang Jinghai (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-09-11 07:49
The World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the "Summer Davos", opened in Dalian yesterday. The three-day-event, taking "Reviving economic growth" as its 2009 theme, will run in the city until September 12. Many delegates from around the world have come to this year's event with the same question - "When will the world's economy recover?" According to Xia Deren, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Liaoning Provincial Committee and Party secretary of the Dalian municipal committee, the answer may well be found at the conference. Xia said: "This year's meeting is of great importance. As many countries' policies and countermeasures against the financial crisis are now beginning to gave an impact, speakers at the conference will focus on the most effective ways to capitalize on this." This year organizers have invited leading figures from the government, business and the media to the event, as well as a number of global opinion formers. The number of participants is up that attending the first Summer Davos held in Dalian in 2007.
In addition, 67 young scientists are expected to give lectures on the potential impact of technological innovation on the economic recovery. A Global Competitiveness Report will be published during the meeting, and its finding and recommendations will provide the basis for a lively debate. According to Xia, this will provide several key strategy proposals for the global business community. As well as its international repercussions, it is hoped that the event will also provide some succor for local businesses, said Xia. He said: "Dalian's economy has grown by more than 11 percent in the first half of this year, whilst its investment in fixed assets has risen 30 percent in the first eight months. The city's development, despite the crisis, provides a fine example for the rest of the country to follow." Global economists now agree that the Chinese government has taken highly effective measures to drive domestic recovery, a substantial contribution to rebooting the world's economy. Xia said: "The renewed economic growth in China has played an exemplary role for a global revival." Green economy In light of increased concern about the so-called "green economy", this year's event has added the opportunities offered by this sector onto its agenda.
Commenting on this move, Xia said: "The green economy has already long been an important factor in Dalian's own development. This year's participants will see the city's ideal facilities and beautiful environment as evidence that China now pays close attention to environment protection and sustainable growth in developing its economy." According to Xia, the new energy industry and related sectors have become huge growth areas for the host city. This has included a new focus on energy-efficient automobiles, semiconductor luminous materials, wind power and nuclear power. At the same time, the city government has invested heavily in energy conservation and emission reduction on an annual basis. Xia said that a new policy document concerning Dalian's development as a green city will be released soon. As part of the plan's proposals, all government-procured buses will be new energy compliant within five years, whilst all of the city's streetlamps are to be converted into more energy-conserving LED lights within three years. |
