The 2024 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions, or Summer Davos will be held from June 25 to 27 in northeast China's coastal city of Dalian with the main theme being the "Next Frontiers for Growth," according to a press briefing in Beijing on Tuesday.
Established by the World Economic Forum in 2007, the event is held annually in China, alternating between the two port cities of Tianjin and Dalian.
The meeting is back in Dalian after five years. The first Summer Davos was held in the industrious city in 2007, and this year will mark the 8th time the city has hosted the event.
More than 100 senior political leaders, from around 30 countries and regions will participate in the meeting. "The 2024 Summer Davos will be held at the Dalian International Conference Center from June 25 to 27. Over 1,600 leaders and innovators from business, government, civil society and international organizations will gather in Dalian to explore a way forward for sustainable development of the global economy around the theme of 'Next Frontiers for Growth'," said Chen Shaowang, mayor of Dalian.
The meeting will run about 200 activities and over 50 livestreaming sessions open to the public, including the Opening Plenary, the China Economic Outlook and Cooperation in a Competitive World. "We have designed nearly 200 activities around the theme, focusing on six major topics: China and the world; entrepreneurship in the age of artificial intelligence; new frontiers for industries; investing in people; and connecting climate, nature and energy," said Chen Liming, Greater China chairman of the World Economic Forum
Pan Jiang, director-general of the Department of International Cooperation with the National Development and Reform Commission, expressed his hope that the story of China and its economic situation, modernization drive and high-level opening-up will reach more ears through the meeting. "The annual meeting is expected to highlight China's impressive economic and social progress, as well as its commitment to high-level openness. The 2024 Summer Davos will also present the international community with the opportunities arising from China's modernization journey," said Pan.
Officials also said that the meeting this year in Dalian highlights digitalization, trade and cultural exchanges and green transformation. There will be 520 new energy vehicles handling guest reception during the event.
2024 Summer Davos in east China to explore next frontiers for global growth
The United States has long been the major external factor affecting Haiti's security, stability, and development, said Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, on Monday, who also condemned the U.S. for exacerbating Haiti's economic challenges by imposing sweeping tariffs.
Speaking at a UN Security Council meeting, Geng expressed China's deep concern over Haiti's worsening crisis and rampant gang violence, its near-collapse state, and the desperate situation of its population.
For over a century, the United States has blatantly deployed troops, installed puppet governments, and manipulated Haiti's constitution, entrenching itself in Haiti's political affairs, said Geng.
He noted that just a year ago, the United States orchestrated the current political transition arrangements in Haiti. However, following a shift in its own government, the United States has turned a blind eye to that very transition, leaving Haiti mired in internal conflict and turmoil.
According to Geng, the United States has always been the main source of weapons for Haiti, allowing illegal weapons to flow into Haiti from Florida.
In October 2023, the United States spearheaded the formation of the Multinational Security Support Mission, pledging financial support. However, in the past year and more, its actual contributions have been relatively limited. At one point, the Untied States even attempted to convert the mission into a UN peacekeeping operation, citing a lack of funds, said Geng.
This is an apparent act to shift the burden onto the UN and its member states, treating them as little more than an ATM machine, Geng added.
Geng also highlighted the U.S. role in undermining Haiti's development.
While professing support for the Haitian people, the United States has significantly cut foreign aid and continued deporting Haitian immigrants on the pretext of national priorities when Haiti is in dire need of support, said the Chinese envoy. "What is even more shocking is that not long ago, while the United States defied world opinion by imposing sweeping tariffs on all trade partners, it also extended its so-called baseline tariff of 10 percent to Haiti, one of the world's least developed countries as defined by the UN. This act of unilateralism, protectionism, and economic bullying is not just aimed at the so-called competitors like China. It has also inflicted damage on a nation teetering on the edge of collapse, such as a fragile country like Haiti, where the people are in dire straits. This is not only cruel and absurd, but also profoundly heartbreaking," said Geng.
Chinese envoy slams US for negative role in Haiti's crisis
