Published: Friday September 14, 2012 MYT 12:42:00 PM

DPM to be keynote speaker at World Chinese Economic Forum

MELBOURNE: Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Zhang Wei, First Vice-Chairman, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, will be keynote speakers at the fourth World Chinese Economic Forum here in November.

Melbourne will host the forum on Nov 12 and 13 to be attended by over 500 attendees from 25 countries.

The forum, which will be attended by government, business and thought leaders, will discuss China's rise and China's economic linkages with her neighbours in Southeast Asia, India, Australia and the Middle East.

Hosted by the Asian Strategy & Leadership Institute (ASLI), the forum is a major national and international business event that will provide attendees with insights into key issues that will shape the future of relations with China and encourage and facilitate more in-depth understanding of the Chinese dragon and the implications and opportunities for the global and regional economies, a statement from the forum said.

Australia's Prime Minister Julia Gillard said in a foreword: "The World Chinese Economic Forum provides a welcome platform for governments, business and industries to discuss emerging opportunities arising from China's economic growth and its relations with its neighbours in Southeast Asia and Australia."

Pledging his support to the forum, Malaysia's Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said: "The World Chinese Economic Forum gives a useful platform for interchange of views and ideas, as well as to forge business partnerships and linkages."

Tan Sri Dr Michael Yeoh, Chairman of the World Chinese Economic Forum and ASLI Chief Executive Officer, said the extensive main platform and panel discussion programme of the forum includes government ministers, captains of industry, leading entrepreneurs, scholars, researchers and corporate leaders have been carefully structured to generate discussions and debates on issues of strategic importance that would shape future relationships with China.

Yeoh said the forum would seek to promote 21st Century Silk Road or modern day Economic Corridor that links China through Southeast Asia, Australia and India to the Middle East markets and beyond.

The Governor of Victoria Alex Chernov and the State Premier Ted Baillieu will deliver the welcoming speech and opening address respectively.

Details of the forum can be found at www.wceforum.org - Bernama

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