TL;DR
He Lifeng advocates for China's high-level financial opening and inclusive globalization while opposing protectionism and the 'law of the jungle'.
Key Points
He advocated for actively expanding and voluntarily opening up China's financial sector while aligning with high-standard international economic and trade rules as of late 2025.
During a January 2026 address, he urged countries to support free trade and safeguard multilateralism, warning against the world reverting to the 'law of the jungle'.
He has been China's top representative in economic relations dialogues with the European Union, France, Germany, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
Summary
He Lifeng, as Vice Premier and director of the Central Financial and Economic Affairs Commission Office, strongly positions China as a proponent of inclusive economic globalization and multilateralism, directly contrasting this with rising unilateralism and protectionism globally. He has repeatedly stressed that China will "unswervingly expand high-level opening up in the financial sector" to accelerate the building of a modern financial powerhouse, while assuring foreign enterprises of a market-orientated, world-class business environment with equal treatment. This stance, often delivered at international forums, frames China's development as an opportunity, not a threat, to the world economy.
His advocacy includes four key recommendations: supporting free trade, safeguarding the WTO-centered multilateral order, adhering to win-win cooperation by making the economic pie bigger, and resolving differences through equal consultation. He has been China's designated lead person in economic dialogues with major developed economies, including the US and the EU, engaging directly with foreign counterparts like the US Treasury Secretary. His domestic focus has centered on expanding domestic demand, advancing new quality productive forces, and stabilizing the real estate market through targeted policies.
Frequently Asked Questions
He Lifeng strongly advocates for the unswerving expansion of China's financial sector opening at a high level. He views this as crucial for accelerating the building of a modern financial powerhouse in the country. This opening is balanced with the safeguarding of financial security.
The Vice Premier has issued warnings against rising unilateralism and protectionism in the global economy. He Lifeng stated that tariff and trade wars have no winners and fragment the world economy. Instead, he calls for building bridges, not walls, through dialogue and cooperation.
The available information suggests He Lifeng maintains a consistent position aligned with the central government's long-term strategy, emphasizing reform and opening up as fundamental state policy. He continues to promote China's commitment to multilateralism, echoing principles stated years prior.
Sources4
He Lifeng Attends the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting and Visits Switzerland
Davos 2026: Special address by He Lifeng, Vice-Premier of the People's Republic of China | World Economic Forum
He Lifeng - Wikipedia
China’s He Lifeng warns against ‘law of the jungle’, blasts protectionism, at Davos | South China Morning Post
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.