CHINA 25-27 September 2008 World Economic Forum holds second "Summer Davos" in China 

This second "Summer Davos" organized by the World Economic Forum in partnership with China brings together together "fast-growing companies destined to join the ranks of global multinationals in the next 5 to 10 years," according to the organizers. The Forum, to be held in Tianjin, refers to the group as the New Champions of the Community of Global Growth Companies. Speakers at the inaugural meeting tackled environmental issues and potential threats to the global economy, and a World Health Organization speaker advocated programs designed to make workplaces healthier.

Eileen Claussen, President of the Pew Center on Global Climate Change, observed that new technology and new politics will be needed to defeat global warming. She advocated a much more flexible framework to deal with it "that will be able to accommodate countries that are very different.”

Nicholas Eberstadt of the American Enterprise Institute warned of "retrenchment from globalization by the United States public." He noted that a "backlash against globalization is a domestic political risk in the US and there is an increasingly strong protectionist movement in both political parties."

Dr Catherine le Galès-Camus, Assistant Director-General of the World Health Organization, recommended better use of workplace wellness programs. She said she was pleased to see that the commercial sector is examining chronic disease prevention through workplace initiatives.

Responding to questions from the audience, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao pledged to continue reforms in key areas such as food and product safety, environmental safeguards and protection of intellectual property.

The new forum has 160 members, 35 of them from China.

If interest in the second Summer Davos matches the first, which was held in Dalian, China, the organizers can anticipate at least 1700 participants from 90 countries. Mar/08

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