Palace shrugs off China snub of WEF

Co-Chairs of the World Economic Forum on East Asia 2014, World Wide Fund for Nature, Yolanda Kakabadse, (L), Chairman of the Board Toashiba Corporation, Atsutoshi Nishida (2nd L), Executive Director of Lippo Group, John Riady, (2nd R) and Chairman of Lawson Incorporated Takeshi Niinami (R) join hands at a press conference during the World Economic Forum in Manila on May 22, 2014. The forum, focusing on the fastest-growing region of the world, needs to look at ways to make growth more equitable and sustainable to bring more people out of poverty while also finding ways to minimise environmental damage brought on by the group. AFP

MANILA, Philippines – China a no show at the World Economic Forum (WEF) on East Asia? No big deal, said a Philippine official on Thursday.

“No. You’ve seen the success of the participation of a number of countries, a number of CEOs,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said during a press briefing at the Makati Shangri-La where the WEF was being held.

“Certainly, it would be better if they’re here but it has not affected at all the participation of a number of countries in East Asia, recognizing the importance of East Asia as a business region,” Lacierda said.

He pointed out that the WEF had succeeded in bringing together government officials and businessmen to learn about each other’s views on business, graft and corruption, and the importance of leveraging growth towards equitable progress.

The Palace spokesperson said it was also a venue to promote and discuss the Association of Southeast Asian Nation’s economic integration in 2015.

The Philippines is hosting the WEF on East Asia for the first time in history. The 3-day event has attracted more than 600 delegates from 30 countries.

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