Summer Davos kicks off in Tianjin next week

The Summer Davos to kick off next week in Tianjin will feature top-level discussions on a variety of topics on renovation and new technologies, finding new ways for innovation to address challenges, and to drive economic development.

"From its home in China, the annual meeting of the New Champions has grown over 12 years to become the leading global event bringing leaders from government and business together with those from science and technology. I'm proud this year to be welcoming so many Chinese and international partners, many for the first time, as we look to find new ways for innovation to address our gravest challenges and to drive human and economic development," said David Aikman, chief representative of the World Economic Forum's China operation.

The Summer Davos, or annual meeting of the New Champions, 2018 will be held from Sept 18 to 20.

New Champions refers to the next generation of fast-growing enterprises with world leaders from business, government and other sectors. Driven by new international dynamics and revolutionary technologies, China will advance reforms and innovation to push for quality economic development for a brighter future, according to Xia Qing, an official with the National Development and Reform Commission, adding that China is playing a larger role in facilitating global economic cooperation and communication.

The theme of the meeting is Shaping Innovative Societies in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Topping the agenda will be workshops on how the Fourth Industrial Revolution, a transformation powered by new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, the internet of things and gene editing, is already impacting economies and societies, as well as the geopolitical landscape.

Tianjin, the host city of this year's Summer Davos, is ramping up its efforts to secure telecommunications and transportation services.