Chinese Premier to Open 8th Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Tianjin

• Premier Li Keqiang will open the 8th Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Tianjin
• Over 1,600 participants from 90 countries will attend the Meeting
• The Meeting theme is Creating Value through Innovation
• Beijing, People’s Republic of China, 4 September 2014 – Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will inaugurate the eighth Annual Meeting of the New Champions, which will take place in Tianjin from 10 to 12 September 2014. The Meeting is a leading global gathering on innovation, entrepreneurship, science and technology. It is held in close collaboration with the People’s Republic of China, with the support of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), and will welcome more than 1,600 participants from 90 countries.

Under the theme, Creating Value through Innovation, the programme emphasizes experiential learning and creative thought. New session formats include: The Challenge, where participants share ideas on today’s biggest issues; Thinking Ahead, where New Champions reveal unconventional ideas and bold initiatives; and Discover!, featuring demonstrations by creators of disruptive technologies. The Creative Spark series allows artists and scientists to explore the skills needed to fuel innovation, while Strategic Shifts delves into the trends, business models and emerging technologies that are transforming industries. Participants will experience some of the latest technologies that are transforming the way we live and work.

Li Xuedong, Deputy Director-General, International Cooperation Department, NDRC, said: “China is committed to promoting strong, sustainable and balanced growth of the world economy by working with nations to strengthen policy coordination, address key challenges and open up new opportunities for development. The Chinese government is pleased to continue its close cooperation with the World Economic Forum and looks forward to a successful Annual Meeting of the New Champions.”

In addition, Cui Jindu, Executive Vice Mayor, Tianjin Government, said: “Tianjin is committed to ensuring this Annual Meeting of the New Champions is productive and impactful. As the New Champion city, we will take this opportunity to show ourselves as an open, inclusive and confident Tianjin to distinguished guests from around the world.”

Olivier Schwab, Executive Director, World Economic Forum China, said: “Technological advances present challenges and opportunities as they are radically transforming businesses, industries and economies. The Annual Meeting of New Champions will allow business and government leaders to understand these transformations, and how innovation can generate value for society as a whole.”

A select group of business leaders will act as Mentors at the Meeting. They are: Jean-Pierre Bourguignon, President, European Research Council, Belgium; Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Tata Consultancy Services, India; Dong Mingzhu, Chairperson and President, Gree Electric Appliances of Zhuhai, People’s Republic of China; Paul E. Jacobs, Executive Chairman, Qualcomm, USA; Max Levchin, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, HVF, USA; Young Global Leader; Kevin P. Ryan, Founder and Chairman, Gilt Groupe, USA; and Subra Suresh, President, Carnegie Mellon University, USA.

Heads of state and representatives from government include: Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania; Helle Thorning-Schmidt, Prime Minister of Denmark; Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, President of the Republic of Mali; Aleksandar Vucic, Prime Minister of Serbia; George Kvirikashvili, Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Georgia; and Arkady Dvorkovich, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation. The representatives from international organizations are: Min Zhu, Deputy Managing Director, International Monetary Fund (IMF); Luis Alberto Moreno, President, The Inter-American Development Bank; Kaushik Basu, Chief Economist and Senior Vice-President, The World Bank; Francis Gurry, Director-General, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO); and Aldo Flores-Quiroga, Secretary-General International Energy Forum (IEF), Riyadh.

Leading cultural leaders and artists who will also be participating are: Lynette Wallworth, Artist, Australia; Daan Roosegaarde, Artist, Netherlands; Susan Fisher Sterling, Director, National Museum of Women in the Arts, USA; Dana Leong, Composer and Musician, Tateo Sound, USA; Richard (DJ Qbert) Quitevis, Musician, USA; Aparna Rao, Artist, Pors & Rao, India; Daniel Orson Ybarra, Switzerland; René Redzepi, Founder and Chef, Noma, Denmark; Faye Yip, Tai Chi Master, Deyin Taijiquan Institute, United Kingdom; Nansun Shi, Founder, Film Workshop, Hong Kong SAR; and, from the People’s Republic of China, Ole Scheeren, Principal Architect, Büro Ole Scheeren; Yao Chen, Actress, HuaYi Brothers Media Co.; Yao Ming, Basketball Legend; and Zhou Xun, Actress, Zhou Xun Studio.

The World Economic Forum is an international institution committed to improving the state of the world through public-private cooperation in the spirit of global citizenship. It engages with business, political, academic and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas.