Forbes magazine, one of the world's most influential business magazines, will present the Chinese audience a brand new ranking list of the best places to do business in the country, after seeing rising curiosity and popularity of its rankings in the fast-developing economy.

Steve Forbes, president and CEO of Forbes Inc. and editor-in-chief of Forbes magazine, who is attending the 37th International General Meeting of the Pacific Basin Economic Council (PBEC) from June 25 to 29 in Beijing, said Monday that a new list of the best business destinations in China will appear in Forbes' Chinese edition in September.

"China has made great achievements since the late 1970s. China's prosperity means global prosperity. We need to show people where the best places are for investment," he said.

Although the magazine's China operation has not seen profitability, the media mogul is confident that the business will turn good in the short term. "We now have a yearly circulation of 100,000 in China. It's a remarkable progress and we will grow as China's economy and entrepreneurs grow."

Forbes formed a partnership with Hong Kong's Morningside Business Publishing Ltd. in November 2002 and so far has one editorial bureau in Shanghai and one office in Beijing.

Despite its famed business articles and reviews, Forbes magazine made a big name in China by publishing the Forbes China Rich List, Celebrity List and Enterprises Charity List.

Although some businessmen are not willing to be listed on Forbes' ranking for fear of tax official's investigation or arousing too much public concern on how they got so wealthy, Forbes said the lists will encourage more to operate according to law.

"The lists demonstrate who is succeeding entrepreneurly and shows how economy changes and what people are interested in. You are in business and you are expected to be in the public eye. If you don't want to be on the list, don't be successful."

As to the similar rankings made by Rupert Hoogewerf, a 35-year-old Briton who used to compile the Forbes Global list, Steve seemed to show no worry. "Let the market decide. We are getting better."

Source: Xinhua