The 2000oWestern Forum of China will be held October 20-22 in Chengdu, capital city of Sichuan Province. The Forum is sponsored by the Western Region Development Office and the Information Office of the State Council, the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee and the Sichuan Provincial People's Government, with the participation of the 12 western provinces (autonomous regions and municipality). Theme of the Forum is: "advancing the development of the western region step by step with emphasis on key points". Invited to be present at the Forum include some of the world's top 500 companies, national top 100 enterprises, representative enterprises of various trades, and the top five enterprises of various provinces (autonomous regions and municipality) in the western region. Also invited to the Forum are international celebrities, ambassadors and commercial counselors of foreign embassies to China, representatives of offices of international organizations in China, and domestic and international well-known theoreticians; high-ranking officials of State ministries and commissions, leading officials of various western provinces (autonomous regions and municipality), and leading officials of Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Shenzhen, Xiamen, Fuzhou, Dalian and Qingdao. Domestic and overseas media are welcomed to cover the event.
The 2000oWestern Forum of China is a major act in implementing the development of the west. The large-scale development is bound to bring about broader opening-up. China's western region development provides new opportunities for the international capital. The Forum will serve as a stage for the equal exchange between investors and investment solicitors, thereby building a bridge between the western and eastern regions and between west China and the outside world.
The Forum will be the most influential international meeting at the highest level that has ever been held in China with a theme of western region development. It will also be an international activity aiming at opening to the outside world. Discussions at the Forum will center on the subject, "Western Market: Background and Future". Competent ministries and commissions of the State Council will expound the plans and priorities for the western region development program. Domestic and foreign enterprises will discuss issues concerning cooperation in the development. These will provide theoretical guidance and intellectual support for the exploration of new ideas, new methods and new mechanisms in the development of the western region.
The 2000oWestern Forum of China will also hold such activities as the China Chengdu International Computer Fair, the Third China Sichuan Famous Liquor Cultural Festival and the Second Chengdu Commodities Exchange Fair.
Preparations for the Western Forum have been going on smoothly. Among the world's top 500 companies that have been invited, many have expressed that they will attend the Forum. They include Toyota, Intel, IBM, Compaq, United Technologies Corp. of the United States, Simens, Alcatel, Shell, French Vivendi, Philips, Ericsson, BP Amoco of Britain, NEC of Japan and New York Life Insurance Co. CEOs of some companies have asked to give a speech at the Forum. The domestic top 100 enterprises and major companies in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, which have been invited, have responded enthusiastically, and CEOs of a large number of these enterprises will be present at the Forum. Domestic and foreign public figures and theoreticians invited have also shown great interest, and some have sent in the outlines of their speeches. So far, 24 foreign embassies to China have expressed their willingness to attend the Forum.
Since the reform and opening-up in the late 1970s, Chengdu has witnessed fast growth of local economy, with its comprehensive strength improving significantly. It has become an important key city in west China. With a well-equipped convention and exhibition center, largest in the western region, and other conditions needed for holding international activities, Chengdu has successfully hosted two international panda festivals and five international TV festivals. It has accumulated a wealth of experience for holding international meetings and activities, and it has conditions for successfully hosting the Western Forum.