The Inaugural Annual Meeting of The New
Champions, in session now in Dalian, Liaoning Province, is
illustrative of the peculiar chemistry between world economic
leaders and a dynamic China.
We have no doubt about the northeastern coastal city's
attractions to be the summer home of the prestigious World Economic
Forum. There is fine infrastructure, a pleasant seaside
environment, and everything a major international convention
requires.
But Dalian was chosen not just for its charm. As Premier Wen
Jiabao put it, the choice is a result of the world's growing
interest in China.
Finding a summer home in China is good for the Forum. Since it
prides itself as one of the most important international venues for
discourse about real-world economic concerns, and fewer and fewer
such topics can sidestep the China factor, there is no better way
to more directly engage China.
China's appeal to entrepreneurs is obvious - the opportunities
and potential are too tremendous to be ignored.
As a transitional economy with a rare mixture of the old and
new, advanced and primitive, China is also a precious specimen for
economic studies. The new dimensions of development here challenge
the world's top economists to refresh our stock of economic
knowledge. Unraveling the China riddles may offer valuable insight
for the developing world's pursuit of prosperity.
By hosting the so-called Summer Davos, Dalian wants to be more
visible on the international horizon. But there is more to exploit
from the gathering. And the impact can be bigger.
The Forum is a wonderful brainstorming session for local
participants, be they policymakers, scholars or entrepreneurs. It
would be a pity if they do not take full advantage of it.
After leading world economic growth for decades, we have a lot
of new situations to address. Our pattern of growth, for instance,
is a thorny problem calling for meticulous planning. Comparing
notes with international counterparts will not only resolve some of
the worries and misgivings, but also help us find the right
direction.
Such wisdom may be worth more than any business deal.
(China Daily September 7, 2007)
