The World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the “Summer Davos,” is meeting this week in Tianjin, China for the first time in four years. Largely focused on promoting innovation and entrepreneurship globally, with a special emphasis on Asia, the conference attracted 1,500 guests from 90 countries.
Russia’s Izvestia pointed out that Saudi Arabia’s 24-member delegation is one of the largest groups to attend, reflecting the strengthening of ties between Riyadh and Beijing that has occurred over the past decade. The Saudis have a sense that U.S. influence in Southwest Asia is waning and could be looking to replace America. It’s likely therefore that the Saudis and China could conclude major new contracts at the event, Izvestia reported.
Other foreign dignitaries attending included the prime ministers of Barbados, New Zealand and Vietnam, who also had the opportunity to have a bilateral meeting with President Xi Jinping.
