Li to meet Lagarde, Kim as China hosts global groups before G-20

[BEIJING] Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will discuss economic growth, trade and finance in Beijing Friday with the heads of six global organizations, including International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde and World Bank President Jim Yong Kim.

The gathering, just before China hosts the next round of Group of 20 meetings this weekend, will also include leaders of the World Trade Organization, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Financial Stability Board and World Federation of Trade Unions, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement Monday.

Mr Kim also plans to meet with other government officials before heading to the gathering of G-20 finance ministers and central bank governors July 23-24 in Chengdu, the lender said in a statement Monday. The World Bank didn't name the other officials Mr Kim plans to meet.

Bloomberg reported last month that China was approaching global economic organizations including the IMF, World Bank and WTO to establish an annual meeting that would give it a stronger voice on the world economic stage, citing a person familiar with the talks.

China is hosting the G-20 this year for the first time since it became a summit-level forum. Heads of state from the member economies will convene in Hangzhou Sept 4-5.

BLOOMBERG