A Sino-French forum on the development of modern service trade is scheduled to be held in Tianjin, the largest port city in north China, from May 30 to June2.

It constitutes part of the public activities of the on-going French Cultural Year in China, which began in October last year. Before the French Culture Year in China, the Chinese Culture Year in France was held from October 2003 to July 2004.

The forum will be attended by a score of French representatives,including French diplomats and businesspeople in China, and specialists and officials from Chinese organizations and departments, including the Chinese Academy of Engineering, the State Development and Reform Commission, as well as universities and research institutes based in Tianjin, organizers say.

During the forum, participants will exchange views on theory regarding development of modern service trade and problems cropping up in the process of development, such as innovation in the system of modern service trade, details for operation, countermeasures for development of finance, insurance, information, tourism, logistics, and ways for expanding consulting and intermediary services in modern era. They will also tour the bonded area of Tianjin.

The forum is jointly sponsored by the Tianjin Federation of Social Scientific Community, Tianjin College of Commerce, the Bonded Zone of Tianjin Port and a French foundation known as Maison des Sciences de l' Homme (MSH).

Organizers are confident that the forum will play a positive role in advancing cultural and economic exchanges and cooperation between China and France, and promoting a faster growth in modern service trade in this north Chinese port city.

Source: Xinhua