Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - April 29, 2024

Storyline:
Participants attending a special meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Monday expressed hope to enhance cooperation with China as they hailed China's important role in helping different regions around the world achieve balanced development.

Kassoum Coulibaly, co-founder of the Africa Development Group, said that China's successful record in protecting women and children and combating poverty is worth learning. He hopes that China will continue to play a bridging role in narrowing the global development gap.

Attendees also said that they have benefited a lot from economic cooperation with China and will further strengthen business ties with China in the future.

The two-day special meeting on global collaboration, growth and energy for development took place with the aim of facilitating dialog among thought leaders and the public on a range of topics including environmental challenges, mental health, digital currencies, artificial intelligence, the role of the arts in society, modern entrepreneurship, and smart cities.

Shotlist:
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - April 29, 2024:
1. Meeting room, attendees;
2. World Economic Forum (WEF) special meeting attendees at lounge;
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Kassoum Coulibaly, co-founder, Africa Development Group (partially overlaid with shot 4):
"I see how China is improving lives of women and young people, and how China is contributing to global cooperation, global growth and global energy for development. That's the topic we are discussing here in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. And I can say that China is also a global and a key partner for the development of Africa. And I find that China can be a bridge, and it's already a bridge. So I think China can continue to improve and to share its experience in technology and transfer them to the African continent and to see how we can co-invest and co-develop."
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
4. Sign of World Economic Forum (WEF), attendees;
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
5. Exhibition area showing strategic intelligence from WEF;
6. Entrance to plenary hall;
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Yusuff Ali, chairman and managing director, LuLu Group International (partially overlaid with shot 8/ending with shot 9):
"Yeah, we are the one of the largest hypermarket retail chains in the Gulf and Middle East and also in different parts of the world. Then we are also one of the largest importers of Chinese products, including food products from China to Middle East and to Gulf. And we have got our food processing and export [businesses] in Guangzhou, in Yiwu, in Tianjin, and in different parts. And we are very happy of the quality of China and the support from the Chinese exporters and processors. And we will try to bring more products from China."
8. Attendees in conversation;
9. Sign of World Economic Forum (WEF).

[Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland]