The current edition of Fortune magazine carries the report that China will host the 2005 Fortune Forum from May 16 to 18 in Beijing.

This will be the ninth Fortune Global Forum, said Robert E. Bierman, president of Fortune's conference division. In previous years it has been held in such locations as Singapore, Budapest, Paris and Washington, D.C.

It will be China's third time hosting the Fortune Global Forum. The others were held in Shanghai in 1999 and in Hong Kong in 2001.

Bierman said more than 300 chief executive officers from multinational companies such as Motorola, BMW and Haier as well as government officials from around the world are expected to attend next year's forum.

The theme is "China and the New Asian Century," with a focus on the fundamental changes of governments, consumers and corporations in the region. It will also explore the rising quality of life in China and Southeast Asia and the opportunities this presents to multinational corporations.

The Time Warner Group and the State Council Information Office first made the announcement in May this year.

(Xinhua News Agency, China.org.cn December 15, 2004)