According to official figures as many as 4,800 entrepreneurs, including over 3,000 from over 70 foreign countries and regions, have accepted the invitation to attend the convention scheduled to open Monday.

"This fully demonstrates that Chinese businessmen worldwide are full of confidence and hope about the development opportunities in China and the expansion of their businesses and that they share the common interests in the world of economic globalization and aspirations for the theme of this convention -- "Let all Chinese businessmen join hands and work for peace, development and common prosperity in the new century," said the vice premier, who is also the honorary chairman of the organization committee of the convention.

The Chinese government and people have attached great importance to the meeting, which is being hosted by the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, Qian said.

"The Chinese government heartily admires the contribution made by overseas Chinese to promoting the economic development and social progress in the countries they reside in and the friendship between their countries and China," he noted.

Qian extended heartfelt thanks to friends in the business communities around the world for their attention to and support for the development cause in China. "We think highly of the contribution made by our compatriots in the Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR and Taiwan to the economic development and prosperity there and to their support for the economic progress in the mainland," he added.

The convention was initiated by the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry and jointly launched by the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce of Hong Kong and the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

The dinner was presided by Jing Shuping, a vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and chairman of the convention's organization committee.

(People's Daily 09/17/2001)