Zhang Yanping, spokesman for APEC High Level Meeting on Human Capacity Building, said yesterday that among participants at the two-day brainstorming session will be senior government officials, CEOs from the world's leading companies and academics.

Discussions will focus on challenges faced by APEC member economies and explore ways for cooperation in human resource improvements.

Sources with the Chinese Ministry of Personnel said the meeting will produce suggestions in such areas as investment priorities and the elimination of the divide between developed and undeveloped nations caused by information technology. It will also introduce a cooperation framework that includes governments, enterprises and academics.

An initiative will be endorsed at the end of the meeting, and will be put to the October informal gathering of APEC leaders in Shanghai.

The Beijing meeting was initiated by Chinese President Jiang Zemin and the Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah when they met at last year's APEC informal summit in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. The two leaders are scheduled to attend the opening ceremony today and address participants.

Zhang said participants from the 21 APEC members outlined the basis for discussion at a preparatory meeting yesterday.

"The participants have put forward many constructive proposals for the document that will be discussed at the meeting,'' said Zhang.

The Beijing meeting is among a series of APEC meetings which will be hosted by China this year. Other high-profile gatherings will cover trade, finance and medium and small enterprises.

(China Daily 05/15/2001)