Zelensky and the Chinese Prime Minister in the center of attention in Davos

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made his first appearance in person at the annual meeting of the world's elite in Davos, where he is trying to gain support in his country's nearly two-year conflict with Russia.
Zelensky will share the spotlight on the second day of talks in the Swiss Alpine ski resort with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Beijing's most senior representative to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) since 2017.
Dressed in a dark sweater and olive green trousers, Zelensky was greeted with a standing ovation as he entered the closed-door meeting of the "CEOs for Ukraine", which included top managers from companies such as Bank of America, Siemens Energy and other leading corporations, AFP reported.
The media was not allowed inside the hall.
In previous editions of the annual meeting of world political and business leaders, Zelensky addressed the WEF via video link.
But Kiev is trying to ensure allied support does not waver in Europe's biggest war since World War II, as the world's attention turns to the Middle East amid fears the conflict in Gaza could spread.
Republicans in the US Congress are blocking the renewal of US military aid to Ukraine, and Kiev and its allies are worried about reduced support if Donald Trump wins the US presidential election later this year.
European Union leaders will hold talks next month in an attempt to approve a 50 billion euro aid package for Ukraine that Hungary vetoed in December.
The US envoy for the economic recovery of Ukraine, Penny Pritzker, said a day ago that the country is facing a "difficult moment" and admitted that "there is a lot of uncertainty when it comes to US and EU aid".
"I want to reassure the Ukrainian people that the American people and America are on their side, even though our politics and democracies can be very complicated," she said.
Elections in Taiwan
Li Qiang will make a special address just days after a tense weekend presidential election in Taiwan, the self-governing island that Beijing considers an integral part of its territory.
After the newly elected president of self-ruled Taiwan, Lai Ching-te, welcomed a US delegation following his election victory, China responded that it was "firmly opposed" to any formal relations between the US and Taiwan.
Li is joined by Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, the governor of the People's Bank of China and senior officials from other ministries, including Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu.
Li will hold talks with European Union President Ursula von der Leyen, but it is not yet clear whether he or the deputy foreign minister will meet US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.
Other VIPs
Li and Zelensky will be among the 60 heads of state and government in Davos, including leaders from the Middle East, who will be joined by 800 CEOs from a total of 2,800 companies.
Other key speakers today will be von der Leyen and NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg. Von der Leyen will also hold closed-door talks with Zelensky, as well as with Blinken and Hungarian President Katalin Novak.
Politicians and business leaders will discuss how to build consensus on multiple global risks, including climate change and the cost-of-living crisis.
Participants will also discuss ways to safeguard the stability of global trade after attacks by Yemeni rebels in the Red Sea disrupted the key shipping channel between Asia and Europe.
Technology focus
Artificial intelligence (AI) will also dominate discussions after last year's flurry of examples demonstrating the technology's breakneck progress.
Despite the excitement, there are also concerns about the threats posed by artificial intelligence.
AI-powered disinformation ahead of elections in a number of countries, including the US, is the biggest global risk this year and next, the WEF said last week.
International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said in an interview with AFP that AI will affect 60% of jobs in developed economies.
Davos will host a number of discussions at formal and informal events with some of the biggest names in tech, including Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and OpenAI's Sam Altman. /BGNES