China Preparing for Western Forum

Preparatory work for the Western Forum of China, scheduled for October 20 to 22 in Chengdu, capital city of Sichuan Province, is well under way.

About 500 government officials, enterprise managers and scholars and experts will participate in the forum, including managers from some of the world's top 500 companies, and the top 100 domestic enterprises, according to Tao Wuxian, deputy director of the organizing committee of the Forum and secretary of the Chengdu municipal committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CPC).

A number of consortia, such as Toyota, Intel, Simens, Philips and Ericson, have confirmed that they will attend the forum, said Wu at a press conference held by the Information Office of the State Council.

And many domestic enterprises will also attend the event, he said, adding that China's 12 western provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities will all send out delegates to the forum.

The Western Forum will be the most influential international meeting with the theme of developing China's western regions. It is sponsored by the Western Region Development Office and the Information Office of the State Council, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, the Sichuan provincial committee of the CPC and the Sichuan provincial people's government.

Tao said that the participants will discuss the subject of the "Western Market: Its Background and Future" to thrash out new ideas and strategies to develop China's western regions. The theme of the forum is "developing the western region step by step focusing on key points".

Other activities will also be held during the forum such as the China Chengdu International Computer Fair, the Third China Sichuan Famous Liquor Cultural Festival and the Second Chengdu Commodities Exchange Fair.

Tao said that the Western Forum of China is a major event in developing China's western regions. "The forum will serve as a stage for exchange and cooperation between investors and investment solicitors, thereby building a bridge between the western and eastern regions in China and between west China and the outside world."

Chengdu has successfully hosted two international panda festivals and five international TV festivals and has a wealth of experience in holding international meetings and activities, Tao said.

The Western Forum of China will be held for the first time this year. It will be held annually in every province, autonomous region and municipality in west China, sources said.



People's Daily Online --- http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/