On the morning of September 23, 2008, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao left Beijing by special plane to attend the UN high-level meeting on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the general debate of the 63rd session of the UN General Assembly in New York at the invitation of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Premier Wen’s entourage included Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Chairman of the State Development and Reform Commission (SDRC) Zhang Ping, Director of Research Office of the State Council Xie Fuzhan, Deputy Secretary-General of the State Council and Director of the Premier's Office Qiu Xiaoxiong, Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei and Vice Minister of Commerce Yi Xiaozhun.