The Hongqiao International Economic Forum, a parallel event of the China International Import Expo (CIIE) which kicks off on Nov 5, is expected to draw a host of world-renowned dignitaries to discuss critical issues related to the global economy.

The event will comprise five subforums held in the afternoon of Nov 5, following the opening ceremony of the CIIE. Each subforum will have a theme related to emerging economic trends, the challenges the world faces, and the importance of opening-up and innovation.

Politicians, academicians and business executives will discuss about topics ranging from business environment, artificial intelligence and innovation, free trade, e-commerce development, China's growth over the past 70 years and the shared future of mankind.

Luminary panelists include Mukhisa Kituyi, secretary-general of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, Jin Liqun, president of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, Gary Clyde Hufbauer, senior fellow of the Peterson Institute for International Economics, Liang Hua, chairman of Huawei Technologies, and Paul Hudson, CEO of French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi.