World Bank President
James D.
Wolfensohn will visit China at the invitation of the Government
of the People's Republic of China, from May 23 through 30. The
purpose of his visit is to assess recent economic developments and
discuss with senior leaders the World Bank Group's assistance
strategy for China after its accession to the WTO.
Mr. Wolfensohn, who will be accompanied by his wife Elaine, will
visit Yunnan,
Sichuan and Shanghai and tour Bank-supported projects in the areas
of cultural heritage protection, poverty reduction and agricultural
development, forestry and urban development. In Chengdu, he will
also open an office of the International Finance Corporation (IFC),
the World Bank Group's private-sector lending arm, and visit an
IFC-supported project. During his field visits, he will meet with
the respective provincial governors and the mayor of Shanghai to
discuss the World Bank lending program.
During his visit to Beijing, Mr. Wolfensohn will meet with Chinese
state leaders, minister of finance and senior officials of key
ministries. He will jointly open and address the Annual Forum for
APEC Finance and Development Program and the International
Conference on Corporate Governance with senior Chinese officials.
He will participate in a ceremony for China to join the Development
Gateway Foundation as a Founding Member and also for the launch of
the China
Development Gateway. He will meet senior leaders of the
Standing/Special Committees of the National People's Congress
(NPC). He will make a major address at Peking University. Mr. and
Mrs. Wolfensohn will also meet with representatives of the private
sector, civil society, and the donor community in the course of
their visit.
World Bank Vice President for East Asia and Pacific Mr.
Jemal-ud-din Kassum and China Country Director Mr. Yukon Huang will
also accompany the World Bank President. World Bank Senior Vice
President and Chief Economist Mr. Nicholas H. Stern and IFC
Regional Director Mr. Javed Hamid will also participate in his
program.
(From the website of
the World Bank Office, Beijing May 17, 2002)