Former U.S. president Bill Clinton has sent a letter of regards to the upcoming Global Economic Leaders Summit (GELS), which will open on Sept. 5, 2013 in Changchun, Jilin Province.

In the letter, he complimented the GELS as an important occasion to build positive interdependence around the world.

"I believe the great challenge of this century is to move the path of positive interdependence - creating more stability, equality and sustainability in nations around the world," he wrote.

"While governments must play a significant role in this endeavor, and enterprises are key, there are limits to what governments can provide and the private sector can produce. Our citizens must step up to fill these gaps, and that's why events like the Global Economic Leaders Summit are so important."

GELS, a summit for international cooperation, was initiated by the Asia-Pacific CEO Association (APCEO) and is co-hosted by relevant governments. Hosted in Jilin Province for the third consecutive time, following 2011 and 2012, it will focus on the opportunities in China's urbanization for global cooperation and it will discuss previous urbanization experiences from around the world.