China Program Takes Center Stage at Shanghai Meeting

摘要

The Asian Development Bank's (ADB) annual meeting in Shanghai is just the second in 35 years to be held in China. The first took place in Beijing in 1989, when the country was exhibiting the first signs of economic reform. Much has changed since then. Today, China's economy is growing faster than any of its Asian neighbors. "There's a lot of interest in China. We expect strong attendance from the private sector," says Robert Salamon, principal director of the bank's Office of External Relations in Manila. "The host country usually takes the opportunity to show its wares, and we expect China will do the same." However, the meeting is not likely to generate any announcements or communiques, he says. Its purpose is to bring members up to date with bank business and provide a forum for meetings and seminars. Last year, in Honolulu, some 2,300 people attended; this year, about 3,000 people are expected.