Chinese Premier Responds to World Economic Forum Participants, Pledges "Peaceful Development"

Dalian, People’s Republic of China, 6 September 2007 – On the opening day of the World Economic Forum’s Inaugural Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Dalian, Wen Jiabao, Premier of the People’s Republic of China, responded to questions from an audience of business and political leaders, and pledged that "China will stay on the path of peaceful development."

Wen promised to continue reforms in key areas such as food and product safety, environmental safeguards and protection of intellectual property. Moreover, China will "build a harmonious society in all aspects" by deepening reform of the socialist market system, by speeding up development and social programmes, and by expanding what he labelled "people’s democracy."

Overall, the country has managed "many stunning economic achievements since it embarked on the path of reform and opening up nearly 30 years ago." One of the greatest such achievements was reducing the poor rural population from 250 million in 1978 to 20 million in 2006. And, in spite of accelerating consumer price inflation, Wen said that "with enhanced macro regulation, the giant ship of the Chinese economy will continue to surge ahead steadily."

To succeed, China recognizes the need "to cooperate with the international community on the basis of equality and mutual benefit to promote balanced, universal and win-win progress in economic globalization." Wen was speaking at the opening plenary of the Meeting, hosted in close partnership with the government of the People’s Republic of China represented by the National Development and Reform Commission.

Addressing the role of the new generation of fast-emerging multinational companies, the so-called "New Champions," Wen praised the Forum for reflecting the international community’s "strong desire to establish a new international economic order." Yet only with constant innovation, Wen said, can these companies continue to grow. "Be brave, be innovative and never cease in this endeavour," he told the audience, representing more than 90 countries.

"Business leaders need to have a truly global perspective," said Wen. "They should not only know what is happening in the world now, but also in the future." Leaders must also be dedicated to reform, and critically they "must not retreat from, or evade their responsibility" to the larger good.

Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman, World Economic Forum, pressed the premier to describe how future historians will define China’s current reforms. Wen said that the key elements are the move from a command to a market-driven economy, and the opening to democracy while maintaining social equity.

"History is created by the people," said Wen. "Future historians will say that China was both an ancient and a new country."

Following the premier’s address, four "New Champions" from Brazil, China, India and Russia discussed the elements of their success.

Note to Editors
For more information about the Inaugural Annual Meeting of the New Champions, programme and participants, please visit the following Web links:

• Everything about the Inaugural Annual Meeting of the New Champions:
  http://www.weforum.org/dalian
• The media guidelines, full programme, list of participants and other relevant documents for the media:
  http://www.weforum.org/dalian/presskit
• The list of global CEOs acting as mentors of this new community:
  http://www.weforum.org/Dalian/Mentors
• Live webcasts of the plenary sessions: 
  http://www.weforum.org/dalian/webcast
• Videos of sessions and interviews with CEOs coming to Dalian:
  http://www.weforum.org/dalian/videos
• Quality on-line photos:
  http://www.pbase.com/forumweb/dalian

Phoenix Satellite TV is the Host Broadcaster of the Inaugural Annual Meeting of the New Champions.

The World Economic Forum is an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world by engaging leaders in partnerships to shape global, regional and industry agendas.

Incorporated as a foundation in 1971, and based in Geneva, Switzerland, the World Economic Forum is impartial and not-for-profit; it is tied to no political, partisan or national interests. (www.weforum.org)