By He Shan
China.org.cn staff reporter

As the world reels from the financial crisis that followed the collapse of American housing market, the 2nd International CEO Roundtable of Chinese and Foreign Multinational Corporations convened in Beijing on November 14-15 to discuss the financial woes.

Sponsored by China International Institute of Multinational Corporations and seven UN agencies, the conference comes at a time when the fast-moving crisis is reshaping the economic map, and just after China unveiled a 4 trillion yuan (US$ 586 billion) stimulus package.

Like the G20 summit taking place in Washington simultaneously, the conference will revolve around the financial crisis, but will focus on the economic picture in China.

Cheng Siwei, a vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) presided over a round-table discussion with dozens of big-hitters from the worlds of finance and government.

Leaders of heavyweight government departments such as the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Commerce were invited to make keynote speeches.

The invitation list includes the heads of China's central bank and the regulatory commissions of the banking, securities and insurance sectors, as well as 19 representatives of Fortune 500 companies and 20 leading bank executives from across the world.

They will discuss how to overhaul China's financial and banking system, and address the issues of stimulating domestic consumption and investment.

The conference will include a wide range of forums on real estate, clean energy, finance and capital, the environment and corporate social responsibility. After the conference concludes, the China International Institute of Multinational Corporations, one of the sponsors, will publish a White Book of the proceedings.

The meeting is a unique opportunity for government and companies to sit down and discuss the economic situation in China. The 1st International CEO Roundtable of Chinese and Foreign Multinational Corporations was held on November 16-18, 2007.

(China.org.cn November 15, 2008)