President Xi to be first Chinese leader to attend Davos World Economic Forum

(VNF) - President Xi Jinping will become the first Chinese head of state to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos from January 17^th-20^th.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Tuesday (Jan. 10^th) confirmed President Xi's widely expected attendance at the annual gathering of global political leaders, CEOs and celebrities in the Swiss Alps.

President Xi Jinping. (Photo: AFP)

The Chinese president will be in Switzerland from January 15^th-18^th for a state visit and to attend the Davos meeting, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told a regular press briefing.

He will also visit the United Nations offices in Geneva, and the offices of the World Health Organization and the International Olympic Committee, Mr. Lu said.

Other global leaders, including WEF regular German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, will not be in Davos this year.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker was also absent from the line-up published on Tuesday (Jan. 10^th), but there were many presidents, prime ministers and central bankers among the 3,000 participants, along with 1,800 executives from 1,000 companies.

The United States will be represented by Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State John Kerry./.

( Compiled by VNF )