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Energy forum to discuss sustainable development amid crisis

By Ding Qi (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2008-11-03 14:34

Jiang Zhenghua, economist and former vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, speaks at the opening ceremony of the World Energy Finance Conference in Beijing on November 2, 2008.

With the global financial troubles and oil prices fluctuating dramatically, experts from across the world gathered in Beijing yesterday to discuss global finance and energy security and solutions for sustainable development.

Held between November 2 and 5 at Diaoyutai Hotel, the World Energy Finance Conference has attracted government officials, economists and business executives from over 30 countries in energy, finance, and science and technology sectors.

But even more appealing are the two key words in the forum's theme -- Finance and Energy, which have been closely connected to the nation's development as well as individuals' pockets.

The latest financial storm started in the US has been sweeping from Wall Street to main streets across the world. Accompanying the financial crash is the landslide of international oil prices, which have plummeted from a historic high of $147 a barrel in July to $67 last week.

"The drastic fluctuation of the oil price has posed a great danger to global energy security," said Jiang Zhenghua, former vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and a noted economist, at the opening ceremony of the forum on Sunday.

Energy prices can not only affect China's sustainable economic development, but also national security, he stressed, adding the Chinese government has attached great importance to the issue.

In the coming two days, officials and experts will explore deeper these crucial topics through key-note speeches and brainstorming, and more constructive ideas are expected to form as a reference for the nation's policymakers.

The three-day event was co-hosted by China Finance Research Institute, World Energy Finance Research Institute and China Finance Net, a professional financial web portal.

For more information about the conference, please visit the official website: http://news.zgjrw.com/zhuanti/2008102201/