The Chinese government is apparently getting serious about supporting small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) within its borders. This is perhaps part grudging acknowledgement of the country's thriving, homegrown private sector and part proactive attempt to reap the benefits of entrepreneurs who are leading hi-tech product development and broad-based economic gains throughout China.

It is understandable why the government would want to provide assistance to a sector that comprises 99.6% of all of the country's businesses and accounts for 58% of the gross domestic product - one recent example that comes to mind is the establishment of a national SME association in early December.

As the country looks to maintain a competitive edge in the production of advanced technologies while promoting clean, efficient industrial growth, it is increasingly turning to a new generation of Chinese businesses with a focus on innovation and smart, sustainable operations. Beijing Shenwu Thermal Energy Technologies is in many ways a poster child of this recent trend.

Harvard Business School will be holding its annual Social Enterprise Conference on March 4th. So far there are 17 tentatively scheduled panels including topics such as: Microfinance; Global Healthcare; and The Mobile Phone Revolution. Speakers include Cheryl Dorsey, President of Echoing Green, Victoria Hale, Founder & CEO of the Institute for One World Health, and Daniel L. Doctoroff, Deputy Mayor of the City of New York. You can also hear new ideas rapid-fire style at the business plan competition where contestants have 30 seconds to pitch their innovative idea, followed by a 2 minute/person final round.

Tickets sell out quickly, so consider registering soon. If anyone is going and would like to blog about it as a guest poster here at NextBillion, please drop us a line.