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About WCEC


The World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention was first conceptualised and organised by the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCCI) to provide a forum for overseas Chinese entrepreneurs to enhance economic co-operation and promote better understanding among overseas Chinese entrepreneurs and business communities worldwide. Being apolitical in nature, its mission is to focus on economic and cultural issues pertaining to Chinese entrepreneurship.

1st WCEC

At the inaugural 3-day Convention held on August 10-12 1991 in Singapore, some 800 delegates from 75 cities in 30 countries gathered to discuss economic and socio-cultural issues relating to Chinese entrepreneurship.

The immediate success of this first-ever gathering led to a unanimous decision to hold the World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention once in every two years. The Chinese General Chamber of Commerce of Hong Kong and the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce were therefore appointed to be the hosts of the 2nd and 3rd Conventions to be held in Hong Kong and Bangkok.

2nd WCEC

The Chinese General Chamber of Commerce of Hong Kong hosted the second World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention, on November 22-24 1993. Attracting nearly a thousand ethnic Chinese entrepreneurs from Hong Kong and overseas, the second Convention was held to examine the latest trends in the world's economic development and the role being played by Chinese entrepreneurs within the fast-changing economic milieu. It also aimed at fostering economic and cultural cooperation and exchanges among Chinese entrepreneurs.

Several resolutions were made at the end of the 2nd Convention. These were: 
  1. To establish a "Committee" with representatives of the past and confirmed future organisers of the Convention sitting on the board;
  2. To empower the Committee, during the interval between the last Convention and the next, to handle all matters including the setting down of the criteria for and the eligibility of the applicants, the application procedures, the vetting of all applications as well as the selection of the organiser;
  3. To appoint the selected organiser of each Convention to serve as the secretariat of the Convention. 

3rd WCEC

The third World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention, hosted by the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and held in Bangkok on December 2-5 1995, congregated 1,500 ethnic Chinese entrepreneurs originating from 23 countries in five continents.

At the end of this 3rd Convention, an announcement was made by the Selection Committee comprising the hosts of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd WCEC (henceforth referred to as the Founder members) that the Chinese Entrepreneurs Society of Canada, based in Vancouver, had been chosen as host for the 4th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention.


4th WCEC

The 4th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention was held in Vancouver on August 25-28 1997. Held outside of Asia for the first time, the 4th WCEC adopted the theme of "Telecommunications & Information Technology - Its Impact on the Global Marketplace".

It explored the combined impact of telecommunications and information technology on enhancing the global Chinese business network, and their importance in effectively advancing Chinese business capability worldwide. Around 1,300 Chinese entrepreneurs from 20 different countries and regions attended this 4th Convention.


Setting up WCEC Secretariat

In May 1998, the three Founder members of the World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention - Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCCI), Chinese General Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong (CGCC) and Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce (TCCC), met in Hong Kong and decided to set up a WCEC secretariat.

This is to ensure consistency, continuity and proper co-ordination in the planning and implementation of the biennial Convention and putting in place other activities to strengthen and expand the WCEC network.

The meeting proposed that the SCCCI would host the WCEC secretariat in Singapore for the 1st 6-year term commencing from October 1999. SCCCI has thus drafted the Terms of Reference for the WCEC Secretariat.


5th WCEC

At the closing ceremony of the 5th WCEC in Melbourne on October 9 1999, SCCCI was appointed to undertake the important task of setting up the WCEC Secretariat for the 1st 6-year term. On the same day, the WCEC Founder Members also announced that All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce had been selected to host the 6th WCEC in Nanjing in the year 2001.


6th WCEC

The 6th WCEC, held in Nanjing on September 17-19 2001, was organised by All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, the largest and most influential business chamber in the People's Republic of China. It was co-organised by the Nanjing Municipal People's Government, with support by the Chinese Overseas Exchange Association, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade and All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese.

Held for the first time in China, the 6th WCEC successfully brought together some 5,000 delegates, 3,000 of whom flew in from countries and region outside China. The designated theme was "Let World Chinese Entrepreneurs Unite in the New Century, Making Peace, Development and Prosperity our Common Theme'.

The highlight of the 6th WCEC was the rousing speech given by Premier Zhu Rongji. The Premier traced the tremendous economic growth and potential of China. Significantly, he singled out the tremendous contributions and support of the vast numbers of overseas Chinese who had contributed to China's economic development in various ways, and urged all overseas Chinese entrepeneurs to continue to particpate in China's modernisation drive.

7th WCEC

The 7th WCEC, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on July 27-30 2003, was attended by 3,300 delegates from more than 20 countries and regions, representing nearly 100 major organisations around the world.  The main theme of the 7th WCEC was "Unity and Integrity - For Global Growth and Prosperity", echoing the sentiment that increased business collaboration among the Chinese entrepreneurs internationally, is instrumental in fostering global linkages in trade and investment for the economic benefit and prosperity of all nations and nationalities.

The grand opening ceremony on July 28 was officiated by Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Bin Mohamad who delivered the keynote speech.  A special pre-luncheon address was presented by Rafidah Aziz, Malaysia's Minister of International Trade and Industry. 

Three concurrent workshops were organised in the afternoon session on the following topics:  K-Economy:  Future Direction of Chinese Enterprises; Globalisation:  Dawn of a New World Economic Order; and Role and Contributions of Chinese Enterprises in World Economy.

8th WCEC

The Korea Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry successfully hosted the 8th WCEC in Seoul on October 9-12 2005. The theme for the 8th WCEC was "Greater Ties with Chinese Entrepreneurs; Enhancing Global Peace and Prosperity".

9th WCEC

On September 15-17 2007, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Japan was host of the 9th WCEC. The opening ceremony was held in Kobe on September 15, whilst the closing ceremony took place in Osaka on September 17.

10th WCEC

The 10th WCEC was hosted by the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc on November 19-22 2009 in Manila, Philippines. The theme was "World Prosperity through Chinese Entrepreneurship". 

11th WCEC

The 11th WCEC held on October 5-7 2011 revolved around the theme “New Global Environment, New Chinese Enterprise, New Impetus”.  The Convention attracted 4600 local and overseas delegates from 125 cities in 34 countries and regions.

It was the second time that the SCCCI had hosted the WCEC since it was founded and organised by the SCCCI in 1991, 20 years ago.

12th WCEC

The 12th WCEC was organised by the China Overseas Chinese Entrepreneurs Association and held in Chengdu on September 24-27 2013. The theme was “Business Opportunities for Chinese Entrepreneurs in the Development of the China Economy”.

The official website of the 12th WCEC is: http://www.12thwcec.org.cn

13th WCEC

The 13th WCEC will be hosted by the Indonesian Chinese Entrepreneur Association and held in Bali on September 25-28 2015. Themed “Uniting Chinese Entrepreneurs, Accomplishing Mutual Success in Indonesia”, it is intended to unite the global Chinese business elites worldwide, establishing synergy to build a reciprocal cooperation and create more valuable business opportunities.

The official website of the 13th WCEC is: http://www.13thwcec.com


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