Asia-Pacific Business and Government Leaders to Discuss WTO, and China and U.S. Relations At Meeting in Hawaii.

Business Editors

HONOLULU--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 7, 2000

The future of the WTO, China-U.S. relations, and the deepening link between military security and economic development are some of the key topics at the 33rd annual International General Meeting (IGM) of the Pacific Basin Economic Council, an international association of senior business and government leaders in Asia-Pacific.

The upcoming meeting -- the first major international business meeting in the region since the recent World Trade Organization ministerial in Seattle -- will be held March 20-22 in Honolulu.

The Honorable Michael Moore, Director General, WTO, will be a keynote speaker via live satellite at the opening session and will share his thoughts about the WTO's future. During the three-day IGM, The Honorable Charlene Barshefsky, U.S. Trade Representative; Y.B. Tun Dato' Daim Zainuddin, Finance Minister (Malaysia); The Honorable Han Duck-Soo, Minister, Ministry for Trade (Korea); and The Honorable Guillermo Fernandez De Soto, Minister of Foreign Affairs (Colombia), will also share their views on the WTO and the efforts to restart negotiations to launch a new round.

A special session will focus on China and U.S. relations. Key speakers such as The Honorable Joseph W. Prueher, U.S. ambassador to China, and The Honorable Li Zhaoxing, People's Republic of China Ambassador to the U.S. will give first-hand insight to the countries' relationship and where it is headed in the 21st century.

Admiral Dennis Blair, Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Command, who has just returned from high-level consultations with senior military leaders in China, will give a special briefing on security issues in the region. Other keynote speakers include The Honorable Thomas Foley, U.S. Ambassador to Japan, and The Honorable John Moore, Minister of Defense (Australia) who will discuss how diplomacy, business interests and military capability are becoming increasingly intertwined.

Another highlight at the meeting will be former presidential candidate and publisher Steve Forbes, who will share his insights on globalization, international business, and the role of government.

Members of the media are welcome to attend the meeting. A list of confirmed speakers, media registration, interview request forms are available at www.pbec2000.org/media.