Chinese entrepreneurs are anxious to connect with foreign companies to further explore market potentials in China, a message from yesterday's 2003 Forbes CEO Conference revealed.

"We now have no fear of the competition with our overseas counterparts but we are still eager to learn from them," said Guo Guangchang, chairman of Shanghai Fosun High-Tech Group.

"In areas such as management and technology, we are very keen to learn their know-how through business co-operation," said Guo, who ranked ninth on Forbes' 2002 China Rich List and is called "Shanghai's Bill Gates" by local media.

The final day of the high-profile international business forum provided a platform for local entrepreneurs to voice their views.

At yesterday's panel discussion, with the theme "China's entrepreneurs - a growth engine," Hui Wing Mau, chairman of the Shimao Group and No 2 on Forbes' 2002 China Rich List, talked about China and Shanghai's real estate markets.

Liu Yongxing, chairman of East Hope Group and No 8 on Forbes' list, shared his experiences and views on business diversification strategies.

Caspar Weinberger, chairman of Forbes, yesterday urged Chinese authorities to further encourage private investment so as to achieve continuous high-speed economic growth.

"China's private entrepreneurs will play a critical role in China's economy in the coming years," said Steve Forbes, editor-in-chief of the magazine.

"As China's economy expands, they will create further growth for this nation," he noted. The three-day conference, in a sense, is a recognition of the role Chinese entrepreneurs are playing and will play in the future, said Forbes.

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