Overview
- Premier Li Qiang said China will pursue high-level opening, import more high-quality goods, and work with partners to promote balanced trade.
- He called on countries to join forces to make the global economic and trade pie larger, arguing that protectionism is no cure for underlying problems.
- Li warned that the international rules-based order faces severe disruption and that power politics is running rampant.
- The forum drew senior global executives including Apple CEO Tim Cook, and Vice Premier He Lifeng met representatives from HSBC, UBS, Schneider Electric and Standard Chartered.
- China’s outreach follows official data showing roughly 20% trade growth in January–February after a record 2025 surplus, a trend drawing scrutiny from trading partners during the Middle East war and a postponed visit by US President Donald Trump.