Background of the Summit

The Yangtze River Delta (YRD) is comprised of Shanghai and 15 prosperous cities in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. Occupying less than 1% of China's land, home to 5.8% of its population and situated by the Yangtze River, the YRD region benefits from unique geographical advantages and abundant resources, making it an important economic powerhouse of China. In the first three quarters of 2005, YRD contributed to over 35% of the country's total import and export value, more than 22% of its tax revenues and close to 20% of China's GDP, reaffirming its status as one of the fastest growing regions in China and one of the six mega cities in the world.

Yet after two decades of unparalleled prosperity, the YRD appears to be on the verge of an economic slowdown and resources overhaul. The region seems to be reaching its limits in expendable resources and production capacity, and serious concerns are being raised over its land, energy and natural resources, which affect its overall environment sustainability. Moreover, the region's resilience, competitiveness and responsiveness are under potential threat from changing market forces. All these problems create huge challenges, as well as opportunities, for the central and regional governments and multinational companies with operations and investments in the YRD.

In view of the YRD's strategic significance to China and the world economy, China Daily and the People's Government of Ningbo Municipality have decided to co-host a 2-day International Summit at the Portman Plaza Hotel in Ningbo on June 8 - 9, 2006 to provide a high-level platform for open dialogues on YRD's economy, business and social development.

Fully supported by provincial and municipal leaders in the YRD, this 2-day, by-invitation-only summit will bring together provincial governors, mayors and senior leaders from central, provincial and municipal governments to personally meet with CEOs and senior executives of Fortune 500 companies managing global, Asia Pacific, Greater China and China operations. Only about 100 delegates will be invited to this summit to ensure the right level of interaction between government and business leaders.