Foreign business leaders reaffirm confidence in China as source of certainty in turbulent world

Participants attend the China Development Forum 2026 in Beijing,岐山新闻网袁玉柱 capital of China, March 22, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Xin)

*As the first high-profile international forum since China unveiled its new Five-Year Plan at the "two sessions," participants showed particular interest in this blueprint, studying closely how the world's second-largest economy charts its course over the next five years.

*For foreign businesses, such medium- and long-term planning serves as a source of reassurance, offering a clearer sense of direction amid global uncertainty.

*Events such as the China International Import Expo in 2025, the China Development Forum 2026, and the upcoming Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2026 in south China's Hainan Province, serve to repeatedly signal China's intention to further open its market to the world via various platforms.

BEIJING, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Business leaders from nearly 100 multinationals around the world that gathered in Beijing for the China Development Forum (CDF) 2026 have sent a clear message: in a world marked by overlapping challenges, China is increasingly seen as a source of stability and predictability.

Held on Sunday and Monday, the forum took on added significance at a moment of deepening global uncertainty clouded by raging geopolitical conflicts and rising protectionism. Uncertainty is the defining theme of the global risks outlook in 2026, as the World Economic Forum noted in a report.

In his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the CDF, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said China will focus on promoting high-quality development, strive to sustain stable economic growth, continue to foster a sound business environment, fully implement national treatment for foreign-funded enterprises, and enable businesses from all countries to operate in China with confidence and realize their full potential.

"China remains committed to being a cornerstone of certainty and a harbor of stability for the world," Li said.

ROADMAP FOR CERTAINTY

As the first high-profile international forum since China unveiled its new Five-Year Plan at the "two sessions," participants showed particular interest in this blueprint, studying closely how the world's second-largest economy charts its course over the next five years.

Han Wenxiu, executive deputy director of the Office of the Central Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs, described the plan as a comprehensive blueprint that embodies China's new development philosophy, prioritizes high-quality growth, and seeks to generate and expand new opportunities together with countries around the world.

Tim Cook, co-chair of the China Development Forum 2026 and Apple CEO, speaks during the opening ceremony of the forum in Beijing, capital of China, March 22, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Xin)

For foreign businesses, such medium- and long-term planning serves as a source of reassurance, offering a clearer sense of direction amid global uncertainty.

"China offers long-term policy clarity, particularly regarding green transition and high-quality development. Combined with strong and growing demand in sectors like data centers, shipping and energy-efficient buildings, such stability makes China a strategic priority for Danfoss," said Kim Fausing, president and CEO of Danfoss, in a statement.

Executives at the forum said the plan's targets act like signal lights, guiding companies as they shape strategic priorities and make investment decisions.

Ramon Laguarta, PepsiCo's chairman and CEO, said he is encouraged by the plan's focus on expanding domestic demand and boosting consumption, noting that it aligns closely with the company's priorities in the Chinese market.

"Our success in China is tightly linked to the vitality of the consumer economy here," he said. "That is why we see ourselves as long-term partners, investors and collaborators in China's next phase of development."

Foreign companies are taking a very close look at this plan, viewing it as a guide to the country's policy direction, said Sean Stein, president of the U.S.-China Business Council.

"Companies realize it's a whole lot easier to be successful in China if they know the direction the river is going to flow," he added.

INNOVATION POWERS GROWTH

China's emphasis on innovation as a driver of high-quality development was another dominant theme throughout this forum in Beijing.

Executives expressed admiration for how rapidly China has evolved from a technological follower into a global powerhouse across multiple sectors.

"Whenever I come to China, I am impressed by the dynamism of this market. New technologies move quickly into practical use. Products reach the market fast. And in many industries, development takes place with remarkable speed," said Stefan Hartung, chairman of the board of management of the Bosch Group.

China has placed a great emphasis on fostering "new quality productive forces," a paradigm shift that prioritizes scientific breakthroughs, green transformation and digital integration over traditional factor-driven growth.

Meanwhile, the country is expanding international collaboration in these areas, urging the need to steer foreign investment toward advanced manufacturing, modern services, high-tech industries, energy conservation and environmental protection.

Roland Busch, CEO of Siemens, described China's new blueprint as an invitation for foreign companies to participate more deeply in the country's domestic production system.

Siemens, which has operated in China for more than 150 years and employs about 25,000 people in the country, has established factories in cities including east China's Nanjing and Chengdu in southwest China.

Busch said China's ongoing digital and intelligent transformation presents broad opportunities for the company, adding that Siemens is working with local partners to translate advanced technologies into tangible gains in the industrial sector.

China's development will remain very positive because it has taken the innovation route, renowned U.S. economist Jeffrey Sachs said at the forum, adding that three of the top six innovation clusters in the world are now in China.

"This gives China a tremendous impulse and a tremendous contribution to the world economy, and it's all the more reason to be optimistic about the coming years," he said.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL

Events such as the China International Import Expo in 2025, the CDF this year, and the upcoming Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2026 in south China's Hainan Province, serve to repeatedly signal China's intention to further open its market to the world via these and other platforms.

Officials underscored a range of measures at the CDF that are aimed at expanding opening up. Finance Minister Lan Fo'an said China would pursue a proactive fiscal policy while strengthening international financial cooperation to inject stability into the global economy.

He also pledged efforts to foster a more fair, transparent and non-discriminatory business environment, enabling all market players, including foreign enterprises, to compete on a level playing field.

Pan Gongsheng, governor of the People's Bank of China, emphasized steady promotion of high-level opening up of the financial sector, deepening financial market connectivity and cross-border payment system interoperability to facilitate broader investor participation in China's financial markets.

"China has always opened its doors in the world," said Jack Perry, chairman of The 48 Group in Britain. "The reason why China has so many expos is because they want foreigners to come over and see what they're doing, and also to enable them to see what the foreign companies have. So I think innovation always happens in China and inclusion starts here as well."

Michael Nelson, CEO of Amway Corp., a multinational specializing in health and wellness, said China's commitment to high-standard opening up has reinforced foreign companies' confidence in its market.

China has been Amway's largest market for 23 consecutive years and has evolved into a key hub for the company's global supply chain, a source of innovation, and a strategic engine for growth, he added.

Amway is implementing a five-year investment plan totaling 2.1 billion yuan (roughly 304.17 million U.S. dollars). "This is not just a commercial investment, but a vote of confidence in China," the CEO explained.