Source: Bloomberg News
China used the annual China Development Forum, a high-profile gathering in Beijing that draws multinational executives, to pitch China as a steadier partner as trade frictions and protectionist policies spread globally. In prepared remarks, Premier Li Qiang called for opening up and argued that protectionism is not a cure-all for economic problems.
A central message was that Beijing recognizes rising pushback to China’s export strength and large trade surplus, and wants to keep relationships from deteriorating further. Premier Li said China is ready to promote balanced trade and work with partners that worry about the surplus, as policymakers try to avoid a broader backlash during a truce with the US in the tariff dispute.
- Premier Li argued that technological progress should help create “blue ocean” markets, shorthand for new areas of demand and growth.
- Premier Li said China takes partners’ concerns seriously, framing the issue as a relationship-management problem as much as an economics one.
The forum is also a stage for corporate diplomacy, with foreign business leaders present as China seeks to reassure investors and trading partners. Apple CEO Tim Cook is set to deliver a speech at the opening ceremony, according to the event agenda cited in local reporting.
Outside the official messaging, sympathetic voices at the event emphasized China’s longer-run growth narrative, particularly around innovation-led development. Economist Jeffrey Sachs told the Global Times that China’s development outlook will remain very positive as the country takes an “innovation route,” echoing Beijing’s effort to portray economic modernization as a stabilizing force for partners and investors.
