The Western Forum of China, the largest international event held so far on developing China's western region, will open at the Chengdu International Exhibition Center Friday.
Chinese officials at the ministerial level, presidents of some of the world's top 500 multinationals, UN officials and ambassadors to China have arrived in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province for the forum. Some 500 reporters from 170 domestic and overseas news media are ready to cover the three-day event, according to the organizing committee.
Senior Chinese leaders are scheduled to be present at the forum. Officials from central government departments concerned will brief on China's strategy, policies and plans to develop the western areas. Chinese and foreign entrepreneurs and theorists will hold discussions on 15 topics in this respect.
The forum is jointly organized by the Western China Development Office and the Information Office of the State Council, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation and the Sichuan Provincial Government.
It will be held once annually from now on, an organizing committee official said.
(People's Daily 10/19/2000)
