In January, 2007, world leaders convened in Davos Switzerland for the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting entitled "The Shifting Power Equation." Discussion focused on the changing business landscape: the growing prominence of emerging economies, the increasing power of individuals and small groups over large institutions and the stronger role of consumers over producers.

Davos 2007 participants recognized that a new class of leaders and innovators – the New Champions – have emerged and that they are re-shaping business and transforming society. The World Economic Forum is now using its unrivalled history of partnership with the  Chinese government and industry to create a powerful platform for interaction and cooperation between traditional and new actors, between East and West.