From 25 to 28 September 2015, the 13th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention (WCEC), with the theme of “Uniting Chinese Entrepreneurs, Accomplishing Mutual Success in Indonesia”, hosted by Indonesian Chinese Entrepreneur Association, was held in Bali, Indonesia.
The Opening Ceremony of WCEC was held at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Centre on 26 September 2015. ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) Secretary-General H.E. Mme. Yang Xiuping attended the event. The Convention gathered more than 3,000 business leaders and entrepreneurs from 23 countries and regions around the globe. Mr. Kiki Barki, Chairman of Indonesian Chinese Entrepreneurs Association, H.E. Ms. Megawati Soekarno Putri, former Indonesian President, H.E. Mr. Luhut Binsar Panjaitan, Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Politics, Law and Security, H.E. Mr. Zulkifli Hasan, Chairman of Indonesian People’s Consultative Assembly, H.E. Mr. Wang Qinmin, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and Vice Chairman of All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, H.E. Ms. Qiu Yuanping, Director of Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council of China, H.E. Mr. Xiefeng, Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia, Vice Governor of Fujian Province Mr. Zheng Xiaosong, Mr. Liu Jinting, Chairman of Thai Chinese Entrepreneurs Association, Mr. Cai Qisheng, Chairman of Singaporean Chinese Entrepreneurs Association, Mr. Cai Guansheng, Permanent Honorary Chairman of Hong Kong Chinese Entrepreneurs Association were among the attendees.
Chairman Kiki Barki, in his opening remarks, said the 13th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention had special significance as it was held in Indonesia, the country with the largest number of overseas Chinese. The world was facing complex economic situation, with downward economic pressure. Indonesia, endowed with abundant resources, presented huge potentials for investment. He expected Chinese entrepreneurs, especially those from China, to get to know more about and invest more in Indonesia, to achieve win-win results.
Chairman Liu Jinting remarked that WCEC had played a crucial role in fostering consensus and promoting cooperation among Chinese entrepreneurs. ASEAN would realize its Community by the end of 2015. China’s “One Belt One Road” initiative was making positive headway. Indonesia, as an important country along the Belt and Road, enjoyed huge space for development. It was expected that the governments would continue to render support to WCEC.
Vice Chairman Wang Qinmin expressed that this year marked the 70th anniversary of the independence of Indonesia, and the 65th anniversary of China-Indonesia diplomatic relations. China was the second largest export market and the largest source of import of Indonesia. The Global Maritime Fulcrum initiative of Indonesia docked well with the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiative of China. The Belt and Road offered opportunities for countries to explore cooperation potential and seek complementarities. The Chinese economy entered the new normal. In the first half of 2015, China’s economy registered a 7 percent growth. Private sector accounted for 60 percent of China’s GDP, 80 percent of employment in the cities and 90 percent of newly increased employment. It was hoped that overseas Chinese entrepreneurs and their counterparts in China would join hands for common development.
Director Qiu Yuanping read a congratulatory letter from the Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference H.E. Mr. Yu Zhengsheng. The letter read that for a long time, overseas Chinese including Chinese entrepreneurs had made positive contribution to the economic development and social progress. The world economy was facing both opportunities and challenges. It was hoped that Chinese entrepreneurs could make renewed contribution to the reform, opening up and modernization drive of China, as well as to the friendly exchanges and mutual benefits among the countries.
WCEC, launched in 1991, was held every two years, with a view to building a platform of exchanges and cooperation for Chinese entrepreneurs around the world.