Xi holds talks with top entrepreneurs

The dialogue between Chinese President Xi Jinping and entrepreneurs Monday, the first of its kind held on the sidelines of the Boao Forum for Asia, is a sign that China is trying to inject confidence into regional economic cooperation, experts told the Global Times.

Xi told some 30 representatives from renowned domestic and overseas companies that China won't close the door to the outside world and will continue welcoming global investors, after hearing the entrepreneurs' speeches and discussions on their firms' operating conditions in the country.

He pointed out that the development of China benefits the whole world and firstly benefits neighboring countries, adding that the country can continue to sustain economic growth at a high level.

The dialogue is of profound significance as China wants to ease concerns from foreign companies over its rise to becoming the world's second largest economy, Li Xiao, deputy dean of the Economics School of Jilin University, told the Global Times.

"Faced with the current complicated international situation, Xi's talk delivers the message that China will firmly stick to economic development, requiring peace and regional economic exchanges based on business," said Li.

China has a new top leadership and they need extensive contacts with entrepreneurs from well-known international companies, Mei Xinyu, a researcher with the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, told the Global Times, adding that macro policymaking will be effective only after main market players digest the message.

"This was to let the political leader know more about the frontline players, and boost their confidence toward policymakers, which is ultimately important as bearish arguments on China are currently prevailing," said Mei.

"Entrepreneurs also need this opportunity to make their own judgments on the new leadership's ability to take control of things," Mei said.

The newly-set meeting may reflect the fact that the forum has started innovating, said Li Youhuan, a researcher at the Guangdong Academy of Social Sciences, citing Xi's comments at the opening ceremony that the forum, which has been held for 12 years, stands at a tipping point as 12 years is seen as a full cycle in Chinese traditional culture.

Mei also said that the forum may be on its way to becoming a comprehensive platform that brings together both economic and political figures.