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Letter from the Editor of the Beijing Fact File, 2004 Letter from the Editor Letter from the Editor Letter from the Editor Letter from the Editor

Letter from the Editor

China, as former US Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky puts it, "is a tiger on steroids."  Its miraculous growth has catapulted it into a class with other world economic powerhouses. China as a marketplace is a story that has become so important in recent years that FORTUNE magazine chose Beijing to host the 2005 FORTUNE Global Forum.

As China's capital, Beijing is also the centre of country's economic success. It is the world's window to knowing and understanding China.  With the Chinese economy powering growth in the world economy, China is, more than ever, getting the attention of the world's political and business leaders. China is the place to be; so it is appropriate that FORTUNE has asked China to host this prestigious forum for the third time in six years.

Could it be more timely? Beijing is rapidly gearing up to host the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. During the next three years, it is widely expected that a vast amount of  Games-inspired investment will be spent on preparations for the Games. Such investment will no doubt create numerous business opportunities for the people of Beijing and China, and for that matter, the people of the world. Discussions about the Games and Beijing's other sports initiatives will surely captivate forum participants and the general public.

For three days, many of the world's government officials and business leaders will congregate in such exclusive venues as the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse where they will rub elbows with Chinese counterparts. Ideas will be exchanged and new friends will be made; perhaps a few deals will be sealed.  With this ancient city's Temple of Heaven as a backdrop,  Chinese President Hu Jintao will deliver the forum's keynote. He is expected to set a tone during the forum's Opening Ceremony that will illuminate China's way to peace, harmony and prosperity.