Economy

Fujian's finest entrepreneurs debate for future

By He Dan (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-09-09 11:11

XIAMEN, Fujian - How entrepreneurs from Fujian should react to the aftermath of the recent global economic crisis was heatedly discussed at the 2010 Fujian Business Top 100 Forum that began in Xiamen on Wednesday.

A warm-up event for the 14th CIFIT, the forum aimed to establish ways to enhance communication among businesspeople of Fujian origin and serve the development of the Western Straits Economic Zone.

Bai Jinfu, deputy chief of the economics department at the Policy Research Office of the CPC, urged Fujian entrepreneurs to adopt modern management techniques and follow the global trend toward a low-carbon and high-tech economy while take more social responsibilities for their business activities.

"We are in an era of transition because the global financial downturn led to lower consumption in developed countries and produced numerous challenges to the export-oriented industries in China," Bai said at the forum.

"Openness is the foremost characteristic of Fujian businesspeople.

"They should carry on their great culture and act as pioneers in economic innovation and reform."

George S Lee, honorary president of the Chinese-Filipino Business Club - who runs property and hardware businesses in Manila - told China Daily that he is a frequent participant at the CIFIT and is impressed by the increased influence of the international event.

"It is necessary to hold such a forum for businessmen with origins in Fujian working both at home and abroad to get together and share experiences with each other," Lee said.

Special Coverage: Cifit and Wif in Xiamen Related readings:  Investors promised more open, transparent market  Speical Coverage: China's investment environment is improving  China to push forward WTO talks: vice president

"I am inspired by many management ideas from this gathering and glad to make a lot of new friends in different fields of business," said Chen Xishun, general manager of Zhong A (Xiamen) Import and Export Co.

Down through history Fujian-born entrepreneurs have shown outstanding performance in business and have the reputation for acute observation on changeable markets, courage in taking risk with a spirit of cohesion and generosity in philanthropy.

Rupert Hoogewerf, also known as Hu Run, founder and publisher of Hurun Report, which tracks the rapid changes among China's richest people, revealed that eight Fujian businesspeople entered the China billionaire club in 2010, almost double that last year.

At least 10 Fujian entrepreneurs will reportedly debut on this year's China Rich List.

Hu added that the business elite from Fujian generally donated 4 percent of their personal wealth to charity, much higher than the national average level of 2 percent.