(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-09-05 09:24

More than 200 young leaders from various circles around the world are gathering in Dalian, a coastal city of Northeast China's Liaoning Province, to talk about future leadership at the Young Global Leaders (YGL) Summit unveiled on Tuesday.

Oung Chanthol, executive director of Cambodian Women's Crisis Center (CWCC), said that she would like to know different perspectives and acquaint different people while attending the summit. "It will be helpful to my work in helping women," she said.

At the third session of the YGL summit and the first held in China, the summit lasting from Tuesday to Saturday would host 230 young leaders in economic, political, cultural or social sectors from 61 countries and regions.

On the walls of the meeting room hung the paintings of ancient Chinese philosopher and founder of Taoism Lao-tse, as well as the facial image of ancient general Guan Yu who has been revered by his loyalty. Copies of Chinese and foreign best-selling books like Jack Welch's Autobiography and Daodejing (the foundational scripture of Taoism) were lined on bookshelves.

Group discussion of the participants started from the books and led to their interpretation of leadership. Issues involving development, poverty, health, environment, education and security were also on the discussion list.

"I hope I can talk about something when discussing with my young counterparts," said Jane Li from the Three Quarters Art Gallery in Beijing before attending the closed-door meeting. She had made preparations for such hot topics as global warming, environmental protection, energy preservation, and regional economic cooperation.

While Li hoped that the forum would build up a network for more close and active contact between the youth leaders, being understood more and better was the wishes of many others.

"China is a fast-changing nation, particularly in the field of technological innovation," said Feng Jun, CEO of Beijing Huaqi Information Digital Technology Co Ltd, a high-tech company headquartered in Beijing and manufacturer of products with the Aigo brand.

"By meeting with young leaders from outside China, I hope I can bring about positive changes to the perceived image of China and the Chinese people," he said, apparently excited that many people he met on the meeting knew about the Aigo logo.

His view was shared by 27-year-old Pham Thi Hue, a UN Volunteer Specialist for GIPA -- Greater Involvement of People Living With and Affected by HIV/AIDS Project. She had been engaged in fighting the AIDS epidemic since she was infected with the HIV by her husband.

"I hope I can get to know more young leaders in the world, and help them understand the people living in the perpetual shadow of the AIDS epidemic," Pham said.