What does the Beidaihe guest list tell us about China’s economic priorities?
The invitees to the Communist Party’s annual summer getaway offer clues about Beijing’s priorities ahead of a crucial October meeting
As China’s top leaders enjoy their summer retreat at the northern beach resort of Beihaihe, analysts are poring over the guest list for clues about Beijing’s priorities ahead of October’s crucial plenary meeting to agree on China’s next five-year plan.
More than 60 experts received invitations to this year’s Beidaihe holiday, including leading scientists in quantum physics, biology, artificial intelligence, materials science and medical research, as well as entrepreneurs from hi-tech industries, according to the state-run news agency Xinhua.
Among the participants were structural biologist Yan Ning; top quantum physicist Pan Jianwei; and Xu Binghe, a leading breast cancer expert.
The retreat also welcomed Liu Qingfeng, chairman of voice recognition technology pioneer iFlyTek; Wu Yunkun, president of cybersecurity firm Qi An Xin Technology (QAX); and Li Xuelong, chief technology officer at state-owned telecoms giant China Telecom.
Also invited were eight fundamental researchers under 40 years of age, with the youngest member of the group – Feng Jiandong, a chemistry professor at Zhejiang University – aged just 33.