Jason Diaz from New York seems confident about the future. He's working on a scheme that allows people to pay with credit cards for taxi rides.

He's also part of a charity involving 10,000 Big Apple cabs that helps maintain social order by calling police when accidents or crimes occur.

He's even more excited about being picked to take part in the third annual World Economic Forum-Young Global Leaders, which started yesterday in Dalian, a port city in Northeast China's Liaoning Province.

"(I hope) to learn and to meet people and hope to be inspired to do good things," Diaz said.

"There are a lot of amazing people here. We hope to do something together for the world," he said.

As a prelude to Switzerland's Davos forum, the summit saw about 230 bright young people from around the world gather to discuss the globe's biggest challenges - health, education, the environment, development and poverty.

"Youth is where hope in the world's future lies," Dalian Mayor Xia Deren said. "Young, global leaders are an active power that will shape the world.

"Today there are many uncertainties in the world, like poverty, discrimination and terrorism. Young, global leaders who have a strong sense of responsibility, are forward- looking and have wisdom, are committed to improving these issues."

Xia said 108-year-old Dalian is a relatively young city and an important international shipping and IT center. He said it shares the same vitality as young leaders.

Patricia Bettencourt, a managing partner in Do It, a company promoting corporate social responsibility in Mozambique's capital of Maputo, said she was impressed byher first trip to China.

"I am surprised, because it is very modern. You see technology everywhere. It is nice and I enjoy it," she said.

(China Daily September 5, 2007)