Global think tanks coming to Beijing

(chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-06-02 16:03

The first Global Think Tank Summit will be held in Beijing from July 3-4, where close to 100 top-notch think tanks from home and abroad will be represented, including the Brookings Institution, it was revealed at a press conference in Beijing Tuesday.

A news conference is held in Beijing Tuesday to announce the first Global Think Tank Summit. [chinadaily.com.cn]

The summit is the first major event sponsored by the China Center for International Economic Exchanges (CCIEE) since its establishment on March 20. The CCIEE is headed by a retired vice-premier, 71-year-old Zeng Peiyan.

Those scheduled to attend include John L. Thornton, Chair of the Brookings Board of Trustees, revealed Cong Jun, permanent council member of the CCIEE.

At the press conference, Wei Jianguo, the Secretary-General of the privately-funded CCIEE, said the current global financial crisis will top the agenda.

Zeng Peiyan, retired Vice-Premier of China, is the Director of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges (CCIEE) established on March 20. [File Photo]

"In face of the global financial crisis, full cooperation is not only needed among governments but between think tanks," said Wei, who is also a former deputy minister of commerce.

Wei pointed out that the timing was deliberately chosen. "(Early July) is a good time to summarize the first half of 2009 and look forward to the second half."

The CCIEE, striving to be a world-class think tank, has high hopes for the summit. "Most importantly, the summit shall bear concrete results, such as proposals on how to fight against protectionism and how to enhance cooperation between think tanks. After the summit we shall take some actions to implement proposals," added Wei.

Unlike the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and other government-financed think tanks, the CCIEE is funded by private donations, emphasized Zheng Xinli, the Standing Deputy Director of the CCIEE.

Wei Jianguo speaks during a CCIEE news conference at the first Global Think Tank Summit in Beijing Tuesday. [chinadaily.com.cn]

The two-day summit, themed "sharing mankind wisdom, seeking global development", comprises a major forum and five sub-forums, and will be held in both Chinese and English.

Hundreds of intellectuals, officials, scholars, and economists from all over the world will gather for the summit, as well as more than 200 representatives from domestic and overseas firms.

Zheng Xinli listens during a CCIEE news conference at the first Global Think Tank Summit in Beijing Tuesday. [chinadaily.com.cn]

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