The 2005 Fortune Global Forum, to be held in Beijing from May 16 to 18, had 837 delegates registered by May 4, the largest number in the history of the forum.

This was announced here Monday by China's State Council Information Office (SCIO) and the Beijing Municipal Government, coordinators of the forum which is sponsored by the Fortune Magazine.

This year will be the ninth forum and the third held in China. It will be held at historical venues across Beijing including Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, the Great Hall of the People and the Temple of Heaven.

Zhao Qizheng, director of the SCIO, said about 481 foreign guests and 105 spouses have confirmed that they will attend the forum. About 254 foreign companies have registered, including 76 global top-500 and 12 US top-500 companies.

As for the Chinese side, 211 people have confirmed to attend the forum, including Chinese President Hu Jintao, who will attend the opening ceremony and give a speech, Zhao said.

Chinese attendants include 171 business men and women, including 30 from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, he said. About 40 Chinese have been invited by the Fortune Magazine.

Xu Ying, deputy director of the International Bureau of the SCIO, said the agenda of the forum has been drawn up but some small changes may be made.

According to Xu, before the formal meeting of the forum on May 16 there will be two roundtable meetings, one for sports and another for culture. The opening ceremony of the sports roundtable will be held in the evening of May 15, with 100 sports stars attending.

In the evening of May 16 there will be the opening ceremony of the forum. On May 17 and 18, 11 meetings and 15 symposiums on special topics will be held.

According to Wang Hui, director of the Information Office of the Beijing Municipal Government, the preparations for the opening ceremony are progressing well.

(Xinhua)