Michael Bloomberg to host second edition of New Economy Forum in Beijing as planned in November
- Inaugural conference had to be moved to Singapore because of a scheduling conflict with a state-sponsored trade expo
A high-profile global forum launched by US media mogul Michael Bloomberg to rival the World Economic Forum in Davos will be held in Beijing in November, after the inaugural edition had to be moved to Singapore last year because of a scheduling conflict.
More than 500 top business and government leaders will attend the second iteration of the New Economy Forum, hosted by Bloomberg’s company and a Chinese government-backed think tank from November 20 to 22, according to a statement by Bloomberg Media Group.
Organisers had to relocate the forum’s inaugural session last November because Chinese authorities did not want it to steal the spotlight from a major import expo, which China used to promote business with the rest of the world amid the trade war with the US. But Chinese Vice-President Wang Qishan made a rare appearance at the forum in Singapore, signalling a willingness to engage in high-level dialogue with the US.
The New Economy Forum, which has a focus on technology and emerging economies including China, India and Africa, aims to explore how the global private sector can work with governments on the most pressing issues of our time, said Justin Smith, chief executive of Bloomberg Media Group.
“This will be one of the most historic gatherings of the truly influential leaders from businesses around the world,” said Smith, adding that the forum plans to invite 200 executives and officials from China this year.