| |
 |
Great minds meet in Shenzhen
|
Liu Fuzhong
IF there is one point speakers at the International Think Tank, which closed on Saturday in Shenzhen, drove home, that is the world's confidence in Asia's future. Many speakers share the view that Asia, home to the fastest growing economies in the world, will be a locomotive for global economic growth.
Clearly the presence of some of the world's leading economic researchers and business leaders speaks to the fact that China is one of the most dynamic economic regions in the world. At the same time, they send a clear message that China needs intellectual resources more than ever before in this era of the new economy.
According to officials of China Development Institute (CDI), one of China's leading think tanks, their objective in sponsoring the forum is to seek insights into how China prepares for the intense global competition based upon knowledge.
Zhang Gaoli, secretary-general of Shenzhen Municipal Committee of CPC, said in his opening speech, that the wisdom of the forum's speakers will give people inspiration and guidance in the wave of the new economy. He invites scholars and think tanks to advise Shenzhen on its economic development.
Local leaders clearly understand the value of knowledge and its resources. Vice-Mayor Li Decheng attributed Shenzhen's remarkably speedy development in the information technology sector to the city's persistent effort to develop proprietary technology. Given the city's ambitious economic development plan and complex global environment in the era of the new economy, the vice-mayor said the city offers great opportunities for the world's leading think tanks.
On the other hand, the global forum gave the city the opportunity to learn from some of the world's top researchers and business leaders.
Claude Smadja, managing director of World Economic Forum, said during a meeting on Friday with municipal leaders, that foreign guests were all amazed at the great achievements Shenzhen had made in the last 20 years. "Shenzhen, in many ways, represents the best of China's reform and opening up effort. With the world's economic structure getting increasingly complex, as economists we are happy to participate in research of economic development in this part of the world," he said.
The forum is now over. Yet many of the questions touched upon by speakers will stay in the minds of the participants. How to maximize the benefit of internet technology without producing an economic bubble? How can developing countries prevent a financial crisis? What impact will globalization have on different countries?
Obviously there are no easy answers to these big questions. But one thing is for sure, China will have to face these questions in the era of the new economy. What's more, China need good information and the right knowledge to cope with new problems which might occur.
|
|
|
|
