Zhang Ping

China's top economic planner, Zhang Ping, Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission, released his report on China's implementation of economic development agenda, which included his view that the country still faces challenging domestic and international circumstances. He identified fluctuations of major currency exchange rates, international commodity prices, rising trade and investment protectionism, natural disasters, pressure to improve energy efficiency and inflation as key concerns for the nation's economic planners.

Chen Guangbiao

Chen Guangbiao, Chairman of Jiangsu Huangpu Renewable Resources Utilization, made an extraordinary commitment on September 5. In an open letter to Bill Gates and Warren Buffett, he promised to donate his entire fortune to charity when he dies. That fortune is currently worth about 5 billion yuan ($735 million).

Mohamed ElBaradei

 Mohamed ElBaradei, a prominent Egyptian dissident and former UN weapons inspector, made headlines in his home country when he called on voters to boycott upcoming elections. The 82-year-old Nobel Laureate claimed the elections, to be held in October, would be tainted by fraud. ElBaradei is a fierce critic of President Hosni Mubarak.