Convention Seeks International Co-opAbout 5,000 overseas and mainland Chinese entrepreneurs will gather in Nanjing, capital of East China's Jiangsu Province in September to discuss co-operation and friendship among Chinese businessmen and the promotion of Chinese culture internationally.The Sixth World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention, the largest convention in the programme's history, will be held on September 17-19, said Bao Yujun, vice-chairman of All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce at a press conference yesterday held in Beijing. "Co-sponsored by the federation and the China Overseas Exchange Association, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade and the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, it is the first time the convention will be held on the mainland," said Bao. As the most important international and non-governmental convention this century, the event has won strong support from central and local governments, Bao said. According to the Vice-Chairman, Li Ruihuan, Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and also Honorary Chairman of the Preparation Committee of the Sixth World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention, will make the opening speech on September 17. During the event, Premier Zhu Rongji will attend the China Economic Forum and make a speech on the morning of September 19. Other Chinese ministers will also give keynote speeches on important issues. Participants, including not only Chinese businessmen, but also senior officials, economists and scientists, will attend forums, view exhibitions and enjoy local scenic spots and special snacks, Bao said. It is estimated that around 3,000 overseas Chinese entrepreneurs will attend the gala, including 200 internationally famous Chinese businessmen and celebrities, he said. According to statistics released by the federation, there are 30 million overseas Chinese living around the world, who have formed 10,000-strong organizations, including 1,000 industrial and commercial organizations. To guarantee the success of the convention, Nanjing has contributed tremendous amounts of labour and material resources to the event's preparatory work over the past several years, according to Shen Jian, deputy secretary-general of the Nanjing government. "The best service and accommodation will be provided during the event,'' Shen said, "The main venue for the convention will be the newly finished Nanjing International Exhibition Centre, which covers an area of 110,000 square metres." The First World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention was held in Singapore in 1991, following that four conventions were held in Hong Kong, Bangkok and Vancouver biennially. According to Bao, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce has participated and supported all the past conventions, sending high-level delegations and making speeches at each of the events. |
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