Chief editor writes
Your Excellencies,
Distinguished Trailblazers and Partners,
Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends,
It is with profound pleasure and distinct honor that I join you today in the scenic embrace of Dalian, gathering once more for this 17th Annual Meeting of the New Champions—a sanctuary where visionary minds converge and global horizons intertwine. On behalf of the Chinese Government, I extend our warmest congratulations on the grand opening of this summit, paired with our deepest gratitude to our friends, both old and new, for your steadfast trust and enduring support of China’s developmental journey.
This year, our forum convenes under the resonant theme “Innovating at Scale,” a concept that strikes at the very heart of the contemporary global economic narrative. As President Xi Jinping eloquently observed: “To chart the course of innovation is to pave the path to growth, and to sculpt innovation is to shape the destiny of tomorrow.” Seizing this auspicious occasion, I wish to share with you the vibrant chapters of China’s ongoing innovation story, and offer our thoughts on a global partnership designed to build the future.
I. At the Threshold of the 15th Five-Year Plan: Forging New Paths Amidst Changing Tides
The year 2026 dawns as the gateway to China’s 15th Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development. Although this year opened amidst turbulent international currents and swelling geopolitical conflicts that have added friction to an already fragile global recovery, the vessel of the Chinese economy has not quailed before the storm. Instead, it has unfurled its sails with vigor, slicing through the waves with unyielding resilience. This magnificent opening chapter can be distilled into four defining keywords:
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«Stability»:
China’s economy registered a robust 5% growth in the first quarter, maintaining this promising momentum well into the second. While “stability” may seem a modest term in tranquil times, when achieved by a massive economic engine valued at 140 trillion RMB—and against the harsh shocks of global energy deficits and fractured supply chains—it transforms into a precious “safe harbor” amidst a turbulent sea, standing as a testament to the rock-solid ground upon which we stand.
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«Renewal»:
Through years of meticulous sowing and nurturing, China’s fertile ground has blossomed with pristine technologies and vanguard industries. In the first half of this year, commercial rockets vaulted into the heavens to claim new frontiers, while quantum information, integrated circuits, and controlled nuclear fusion advanced at an accelerated pace. Within the realm of Artificial Intelligence, an explosive awakening has occurred; our daily token usage reached hundreds of trillions by late May, leading the world, while embodied intelligence entered the threshold of large-scale commercial application. These brilliant sparks of frontier innovation are coalescing into a sweeping flame, reinventing the face of our economy and breathing into it renewed vitality.
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«Dynamism»:
The vast horizons of China’s supersized domestic market continue to unlock immense potential, particularly within the realms of green and service-oriented consumption. The surging crowds filling our tourist destinations, theaters, and sports arenas—paired with the skyrocketing demand for wearable smart devices—vividly illustrate the pulse of our domestic market. When one considers that China alone processes over 550 million express deliveries every single day, exceeding the combined total of the rest of the world, the sheer depth of our internal demand becomes undeniable.
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«Integration»:
In an era marked by the resurgence of unilateralism and protectionist walls, China has chosen to throw open its arms to the world. We have extended zero-tariff policies to 63 nations and sustained our position as the world’s second-largest import market for 17 consecutive years. Our pursuit of integration is no mere tactical maneuver, but a strategic destiny rooted in the tides of history and our own developmental philosophy. China does not seek the fleeting glory of walking fast alone; we believe that walking together is the only path to reaching the furthest horizons.
Together, these four keywords sketch a vibrant, multi-dimensional portrait of China’s contemporary reality and its prosperous tomorrow. We possess total confidence in our ability to nurture this momentum and continue writing fresh chapters of high-quality development.
II. Driven by Innovation: The Secret Code to China’s Enduring Success
The health and resilience of the Chinese economy over the past decades rests upon a golden, dual-pronged formula: a stable environment and the driving force of innovation. While our stable environment is a reality felt by all, China’s innovation requires a moment of true appreciation. Behind the brilliant sheen of our scientific achievements lies an untold narrative of sacrifice and unyielding persistence, summarized in three core truths:
First: China’s innovation is forged through relentless, painstaking labor (Carved in Stone).
We harbor no illusions that shortcuts exist in scientific research, nor can true distinction be copied; it must be wrestled from hardship. We have steadily increased our R&D expenditures by an average of 10% annually, firmly securing the second-largest investment pool worldwide. Our enterprises have demonstrated the quiet focus of a craftsman “sharpening a single sword for a decade.” Many industry leaders endured severe operational losses and unjust external containment, yet they never wavered, and today their perseverance bears fruit.
Second: China’s innovation is tempered in the crucible of real-world application.
The true life of science is found in its application. The most treacherous leap for any innovation is not its birth within the lab, but its crossing of the “Darwinian Sea” into the commercial market. We have masterfully bridged scientific breakthroughs with industrial elevation; technology serves as the fresh spring that rejuvenates our industries. The meteoric rise of our intelligent connected vehicles and new energy sectors was driven by breakthroughs in materials and battery science—not by artificial government subsidies, which we could neither afford nor sustain at such a scale. Conversely, our market of 1.4 billion souls provides the ultimate incubator, allowing niche concepts to mature into global enterprises through constant user feedback.
Third: China’s innovation is nurtured within a holistic, enabling ecosystem.
Innovation today has evolved into a highly complex, systemic architecture requiring immense institutional support. Over the years, we have successfully established 24 innovation clusters among the world’s top 100, leading the globe for the third consecutive year. Through deliberate structural reforms, we have fortified intellectual property rights and accelerated the deployment of next-generation power grids, computing networks, and telecommunications infrastructure to ensure that the creative energy of our society remains permanently ignited.
While this rapid ascent has earned widespread acclaim from objective observers worldwide, it has unfortunately caused anxiety in others, giving rise to the narrative of a “China Shock 2.0.” However, wiser voices have begun to champion a far more accurate phrase: “China Opportunity 2.0.” If China previously offered the world market dividends born of scale and low production costs, it now presents the global community with “Innovation Dividends” born of technological majesty and industrial sophistication.
For global enterprises, this opportunity translates into lucrative investment returns and profound empowerment. We are witnessing a historic paradigm shift from “Made in China” to “Created in China,” where foreign partners find end-to-end synergy from the initial prototype to mass production. For human civilization, this opportunity means accessible advancement. China is committed to open-source innovation to empower developing nations. Our open-source AI models are downloaded by the billions, our massive scientific research facilities are open to international scholars, and our Tiangong Space Station stands ready to welcome foreign astronauts. This is a message of global empowerment, not a threat.
III. Innovation Cooperation: The Imperative Antidote to Global Stagnation
Just as innovation serves as the beating heart of China’s development, it remains the ultimate pathway for the global economy to push back against downward pressures. Today, global innovation is navigating two unprecedented trends:
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Unparalleled velocity veiled in uncertainty: Artificial Intelligence is ushering humanity into a new “Cambrian explosion” of intellect, yet it brings profound ethical and systemic risks that demand enlightened governance.
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Deep interconnectedness facing artificial barriers: True creativity now demands cross-border, multidisciplinary alliances, yet we witness an escalation of technological blockades and rising walls. We firmly believe that authentic innovation must march out into the open and embrace the world.
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Let us build bridges of intellectual connectivity: In this new industrial revolution, no single nation or corporation can thrive in isolation. An interconnected global market lowers the cost of creativity, and an inclusive network accelerates the unlocking of tomorrow’s mysteries. China will proactively deepen its integration into the international division of labor to safeguard the seamless flow of global supply chains.
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Let us harness technology for the collective good: Advanced technology must remain an instrument of human welfare and prosperity, never a source of chaos threatening global peace. This demands a harmonious alignment of development and security. China will responsibly participate in shaping the global governance rules for AI, ensuring that technological progress remains a servant to peace and human dignity.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends,
Enterprises are the lifeblood of innovation, and entrepreneurs are the captains of this grand odyssey. I call upon you today to be the beacons that guide this creative dawn. Turn your vessels away from the fiercely contested, exhausting “Red Oceans” of existing markets, and steer them toward the boundless “Blue Oceans” of tomorrow, using innovation to expand the global economic pie for all.
Be the champions of win-win cooperation; tear down the walls and build the bridges. Walk hand-in-hand with China and plant your roots deep within its fertile soil. No matter how the international winds may shift, China’s doors will only open wider. We shall continue to expand market access, guarantee true national treatment for foreign enterprises, and foster a world-class business environment. Welcome to China—let us shape a more beautiful tomorrow together.
I wish this forum a resounding and magnificent success!
Thank you!
