Li Qiang on World Economic Forum
TL;DR
Li Qiang consistently champions engagement with the World Economic Forum, emphasizing global cooperation and shared growth.
Key Points
He opened the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting of the New Champions in 2025, emphasizing the need for win-win cooperation.
In January 2024, he delivered remarks emphasizing the necessity of maintaining open global trade at a different international forum.
His participation has been framed by the WEF as an opportunity to discuss China's economic trajectory with global leaders.
Summary
Li Qiang views the World Economic Forum, particularly its Annual Meeting of the New Champions (AMNC) held in China, as a vital platform for international economic dialogue and promoting global cooperation. He has used these high-profile events to articulate China's commitment to openness, innovation, and shared development, positioning the country as a reliable partner in a fragmented global landscape. His attendance and speeches underscore a strategic belief in multilateralism and the necessity of maintaining open trade and investment channels to secure mutual prosperity.
The Premier’s consistent participation highlights an effort to reassure international business leaders and governments about the stability and direction of China’s economy and its role in global supply chains. Key messages delivered at these forums often call for resisting protectionism and ensuring that economic issues are not politicized or securitized, reinforcing a consistent narrative of engagement over isolation. This approach serves to cement the forum's role as a crucial venue for China to project its economic governance philosophy to a global audience.
Key Quotes
We will not and shall not return to closed-off and isolated islands; what we need are more bridges of win-win cooperation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Li Qiang strongly supports engaging with the World Economic Forum, viewing it as essential for fostering global economic cooperation. He has actively participated in the organization's key events, using them to advocate for China's economic policies.
The Premier urged attendees not to convert trade into a political or security matter during his address to a major WEF-affiliated meeting. Li Qiang stressed that such politicization undermines the foundations necessary for shared international growth.
Yes, his consistent high-level attendance confirms the Premier sees the forum, especially the AMNC, as strategically important. He uses these platforms to project confidence in China’s economic openness to international business.
Sources7
Li Qiang Transcript: China, Chinese Premier at the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2025
Address by China Premier Li Qiang to the Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2024
Chinese Premier Li Qiang to Open World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2025
Remarks by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the World Economic Forum Virtual Event in January 2021
Premier Li Qiang calls for openness, innovation and shared growth at AMNC 2025
China's Li urges not to turn trade into a political or security issue
Consul General Li Qiang Delivers Keynote Speech at the 2024 China Investment Forum in Los Angeles
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.