During the third session of the mayor's International Business Leaders Advisory Council, held May 9-10 in Beijing, 11 leaders of multinational giants aired their opinions about Beijing's 10th Five-Year Plan (2001-05).

They talked about its construction as well as the development of information and modern service industries.

The advisory council is made up of 23 advisers from world leading companies and organizations, such as Nokia, Ericsson, Electricity de France, NEC, and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.

Eleven of the advisers came to Beijing to attend the third session. The meeting has become a part of the annual China (Beijing) High-Tech Industries Week, a State-level high-tech event held every May in China's capital.

Jorma Ollila, chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) for the Finland-based Nokia, said Beijing is experiencing rapid growth, especially in its high-tech industries.

And the city's development ideas, involving priority being given to intellectual industries, establishing an open economic structure and strengthening environmental protection, were pioneering.

"To become an international metropolis, Beijing has to face the challenge of enhancing people's living conditions and improving infrastructure simultaneously," said Francois Roussely, chairman and CEO of Electricity de France.

Engaged in electrical power and public energy utilities, his company has co-operated with Chinese partners in some nuclear plants and large coal-fired plants.

"We are eager to contribute to Beijing's environmental protection and help the city win the bid to host the 2008 Olympic Games," Roussely said.

Already a power supply project sponsored by the company has been listed in Beijing's environmental protection plan.

Yoichi Morishita, president of the Japan-based Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd, also said Matsushita will offer technological support to make the capital's sky bluer.

"Beijing's bid to host the 2008 Olympic Games will surge demand for telecommunication services and equipment, and we are investing in the city to help it further optimize its economic structure," said Kurt Hellstrom, president of the Sweden-based Ericsson.

Beijing's mayor Liu Qi said the proposals raised by the international brains in the last two sessions helped the municipal government to perfect its development plan.

"We took on board their suggestions and formulated preferential policies for investment in high-tech industries, infrastructure construction, the renovation of old houses and the service sectors," Liu said.

He pledged to further improve the investment environment and attract more funds and technology to the capital city's key sectors.

(China Daily 05/11/2001)