GAF to Be Held in Chengdu this week

　　Organized by the Automotive Industry Commission of China Council for The Promotion of International Trade and Chengdu Municipal People's Government, the first Global Automotive Forum will be held from September 16 to September 17 in the city of Chengdu. The theme of forum is "shaping the future of auto industry at a time of changes”. Why will such a high-level and unprecedented forum be held in Chengdu? What's the size of the forum? In this regard, Wang Xia, the Secretary of the Automotive Industry Commission of China Council for The Promotion Of International Trade received the exclusive interview carried out by Western China Metropolis Daily and revealed the story behind the forum.

　　Why should be the forum be held?

　　To fill in the blank space

　　Wang Xia said, China has become the largest auto market in the world, which reflects the profound changes which have took place within the international automotive industry. From a global perspective of view, the automobile industry is scrambling to deal with the issue of excess capacity. We can notice that a large number of profound changes have taken place in terms of consumers' spending habits, preferences and expectations across the world. Due to the influences of global economic crisis, the trend of changes is accelerating. Furthermore, other factors also exert far-reaching effects on the development trend of automotive industry, such as the challenges caused by energy and environmental changes and the acceleration of urbanization in Asia.

　　Currently there are lots of high-level meetings in the field of automobile. During the major shows across the globe, there are a large number of bilateral discussions. Wang Xia said:" Surprisingly, there has not been a global platform, on which the major participants in auto industry can have a dialogue with the rule-makers and elites from other related industries. They can have some forward-looking discussions as to the future of automotive industry. “Therefore the Global Automotive Forum can fill in the blank space and meet international needs.

　　Wang Xia pointed out that "from all levels the forums held in China are pretty good”. At the same time, he added: “The reason why the forum is named as global is that we will establish a forum with international influence. Half of the representatives come from other countries, including well-known economists, bankers, entrepreneurs and heads of international agencies. We will build a platform for the transnational experts and companies. "

　　The forum is equipped with high-level international participation and broad international perspective. Based in China, the forum will exert some obvious effects on China's auto industry. Wang Xia said: “China should grasp the opportunities which come with the changes of international automotive industry and show more China's elements to promote the development of China's auto industry. Now we are gradually changing from the country which focuses on automobile manufacturing to an automotive power. We have to use this good opportunity to provide service for China's automakers. In addition, we should view the development of China's automobile manufacturers from a global perspective and create some international companies. We should provide a platform for China's automakers."

　　How will the forum be held?

　　Feeling the pulse of automotive industry's future

　　Wang Xia revealed that the Global Automotive Forum would become an annual event. Participants will discuss the main issues which may affect automotive industry and related challenges. They will have discussions about economic, social and psychological changes in major markets in the world and influences on consumption preference brought by those changes. They will study and discuss the changes in different regional markets in the world and provide in-depth analysis as to various changes and their impacts. They will talk about the influences brought by the changes of government's policies, especially those policy adjustments about environment changes and international and bilateral trade. Therefore, the international forum will become a platform on which manufacturing enterprises, government policy makers, experts and media leaders can have a dialogue and exchange ideas and make forward-looking analysis.

　　The executives, government officials, top experts from automotive industry, financial industry or other related industries in China and other countries in the world will exchange thoughts and understand the latest development of auto industry in the fields of economy, technology and commerce. Fruitful consensus can be reached through communications. We can jointly cope with the challenges in a post-crisis era.

　　As to the theme of the first Global Automotive Forum, Wang Xia explained why the organized chose such a theme. The theme of the first Global Automotive Forum is shaping the future of automotive industry at the time of changes. The main reason is that automotive industry is changing. Particularly, we are faced with the changes and adjustments of automotive industry in a post-crisis era. A large number of industrialized countries are reviving from economic crisis. The development of auto markets in some Emerging countries such as China and India are exerting significant influences on the layout of international automotive industry. In the era of new energy vehicle industry, technical progress and innovations have brought opportunities and challenges. A number of changes related to industry environment and factors will have profound impacts on the future development of auto industry. It is one of the hot topics to discuss how China will keep its advantages during the new round of changes.

　　There will be about 500 to 600 elites from auto industry or other related industries will participate in the forum. Lots of top executives, experts, heads of governments and international agencies across the world will be guest speakers. Therefore the forum will surely have the best quality with international and professional features.

　　Why will the forum be held in Chengdu?

　　The location is consistent with the high-end positioning.

　　The world's first high-level Global Automotive forum will be held in Chengdu. Why? Wang Xia also offered the reasons. As to the site, this forum is quite different from previous meetings. In the past, the high-level forums are mainly held in Beijing or other cities in coastal cities in Southeast China. Now the meeting has begun to shift to the cities in central and western parts of China.

　　Wang Xia said, there are four factors to explain why the organizers chose Chengdu. First of all, Chengdu has the sound atmosphere of automotive consumption. The ownership of cars in Chengdu ranks third among all the cities in China. Chengdu Auto Show is one of the top four auto exhibitions in China, which is quite influential. Second, regarding the development of auto industry, Chengdu is a relatively neutral city. There is no monopoly in Chengdu's auto market. Therefore every participant will feel relaxed when attending the forum. They can talk about a number of issues which share more similarities. In addition, Chengdu is sparing no effort to establish a garden city, which is consistent with the positioning of the high-level forum. The Municipal Government of Chengdu offers great support for the forum. Last but not least, exhibition center offers very good hardware conditions for the organization of large-scale forums. The conditions in Chengdu will meet the requirements of high-level meetings. Therefore all the conditions are more mature.

　　According to preliminary plans, "Global Automotive Forum" will be held annually, alternately in Chengdu and Shanghai. Two cities will jointly establish a high-quality for the global automotive industry. In addition, the Managing Director of the World Economic Forum, Mr. Claude, will become the strategic partner of the forum. He will co-plan and organize the meeting to ensure that the Global Automotive Forum will become an automotive industry forum with international influence. (Translator: Qinghua/Hanxin)