"China story" will bring world's best-known CEOs and senior executives back to China, this time to Beijing, after they gathered in Shanghai in 1999 and Hong Kong in 2001.

From May 16 to 18, the ninth Fortune Global Forum will be held in the city and more than 800 delegates from around the world will attend.

"China has a continued story of growth that our delegates are very interested in," said Robert Bierman, President of Conference Division of Fortune Magazine.

Bierman said China has become an important player both in the region and the world and there is a lot of curiosity about that among business community.

Organized by the US-based Fortune magazine, the Forum has been called the "summit" of global business. Since 1995, the forum has been held eight times.

The organizing committee of the Beijing Forum said heads of 88 companies listed in the Fortune top 500s will participate. The total number of delegates will surpass 800, a record high in the forum's history.

Zhao Qizheng, head of the State Council Information Office, a co-sponsor of the Beijing Forum, attributed the large scale of the forum to the increasing attraction of China.

The world's most economically vigorous country, China enjoyed a9 percent economic growth rate over the past 20 years. In 2004, China's gross domestic product reached 1.36 trillion yuan, up 9.5 percent over the previous year. In the meantime, the country became the world's third largest trader, following the United States and Japan.

"The world's businessmen eyed China's economic potential six years ago in Shanghai, and now these potentials have come true. The focus will be turned to the continuity and expansion of such potential," said an observer who declined to give his name.

China's most important international event this year, the forum has been given great importance by Chinese government. Chinese President Hu Jintao will address the opening ceremony. A series ofhigh-ranking officials, including Minister of Commerce Bo Xilai and President of People's Bank of China Zhou Xiaochuan, will speak at the forum.

Rick Wagoner, CEO of General Motors, attended the Shanghai Forum in 1999. Back to China in Beijing, Wagoner will join in the discussion on Asian's vehicle industry. Troubled by poor market sales recently, GM is trying to get some kind remedy at the forum to help it revitalize Asian Market.

As an official from the GM China Corporation put it, in the 21st century, which has been called "The Asian Century," no company can succeed without tapping the potential of Chinese and Asian markets.

As usual, the Fortune Forum will discuss topics which reflect the direction of business and the interest of CEOs and heads of large businesses.

There will be two full-day round tables on sports and culture. "It's something new for us," said Bierman.

He said China is going to host the 2008 Olympic Games and sports business is emerging in China, which will provide huge opportunities for businessmen across the world.

(Xinhua News Agency May 14, 2005)