Beijing, March 3 (Zhongxin Financial Reporter Zuo Yukun) "It's really good to be able to come to China and communicate face-to-face with new and old friends from all over the world. "The spring in Beijing is full of March, and such opening remarks have almost become the common emotion of every overseas guest.
On March 3, the 25 Annual Conference of the China Development Forum with the theme of "Economic Recovery: Opportunities and Cooperation" was held in Beijing. This is the first time that the forum has resumed offline after 2023, and more than 2020 chairmen or CEOs of Fortune 500 or industry-leading enterprises, heads of major international economic organizations, and internationally renowned scholars have come to China to share the "good spring" of high-quality development.
The site of the 2023 Annual Meeting of the China Development High-level Forum. Photo courtesy of the organizer
Common witness: China's economy is moving forward
"China is a paradise and highland for cross-border investment. In the past three years, China's actual utilization of foreign capital has increased from US$2020.1444 billion in 2022 to US$1890 billion in <>. This is the best example of foreign investment in China. Han Wenxiu, deputy director in charge of daily work in the office of the Central Financial and Economic Commission, said.
Video: Han Wenxiu: Welcome enterprises from all over the world to invest in China You can "put a long line to catch big fish" Source: China News Network
The foreign guests attending the meeting did not hesitate to express their recognition of China's rapid economic development. Daniel Ni, chairman of global consulting giant McKinsey China, previously posted on social media: "The next China in China", which sparked heated discussions about global growth trends and China's economic prospects.
"Wherever I go this year, everyone is asking 'where is the next China', and in the past 10 or 20 years, everyone has enjoyed and experienced China's dividends, and they all want to know where the next China is." Ni Yili said frankly: "If you want to look for the next 'China', or the next growth point, then the growth is here, in China." ”
Ni Yili said that confidence comes from unchanging macro fundamentals. China has a growing middle-income group, the industrial structure is transforming into the service industry, and consumption is also upgrading, and these changes are obvious to all. "I believe that in the next 10 years, if a global CEO looks globally for growth, he cannot ignore China. This is what makes China important. ”
"The moment you come to this market, you see how vibrant and exciting it is." Dai Pu, Co-President of Roland Berger's Global Management Board, said: "I have talked to some business leaders, and after a few days or weeks here, their attitude towards China has become very positive. ”
"It is clear that the Chinese economy has achieved amazing miracles over the past four decades. I've never seen a country grow so fast. Xia Zunen, a representative of Covington Law Firm, former assistant trade representative of the United States and former president of the American Chamber of Commerce in China, said that such a large country as China, with such rapid economic development for many consecutive years, is also unique in the history of the world economy.
Jeffrey Sachs, a professor at Columbia University in the United States, said that China is a well-run, highly innovative and large economy capable of making major breakthroughs. Technological innovation will be the growth engine for China in the coming decades, and he is very optimistic about China.
Ningbo Zhoushan Port. Photo by Dong Yixin
A common benefit: the doors that open wider and wider
The theme of this year's conference is "Economic Recovery: Opportunities and Cooperation", and in the face of the new challenges and uncertainties facing today's global economy, as one of the few positive factors that boost global expectations, an open China will inject a steady stream of impetus into global economic growth.
Oliver Bate, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Allianz Insurance Group, the foreign chairman of the forum, said that he was very pleased to hear China's firm statement on continuing to open up. He is proud that multinational enterprises have made their own contribution to the rapid advancement of China's modernization.
"Now, more confident and capable than ever, China is more confident. Innovation, dynamism and international cooperation will play a critical role in China's future economic recovery and help China play a more important role in promoting global prosperity and peace. Oliver Bate said.
"China is an exciting investment hotspot and a powerful engine for the global economy to emerge from the downturn." Pan Mulin, Global CEO of Amway, said that as a leading enterprise in the nutritional food industry, Amway will continue to increase investment in the Chinese market, integrate into the new development pattern of domestic and international dual circulation, and contribute to the construction of China's modern industrial system.
Many multinational companies are also increasing their investment in China's new plans and casting confidence in China with practical actions. Haozhe Ko, Chairman and CEO of ZF Group, said: "By 2030, we want 30% of our global revenue to come from the Asia-Pacific region, with the majority of this coming from China. I can foresee a huge growth, and the potential for China is very large. ”
"We have developed close partnerships with our Chinese customers to support their decarbonization leadership. Last year, we also signed a strategic memorandum of understanding with the newly established China Minerals Group to jointly promote the sustainable development of the metals and mineral resources supply chain. BHP Billiton CEO Han Murui said.
"With the passage of time, I believe that only soft power can become the magic weapon for victory and the basis for common prosperity." Oliver Bate said that there is a saying in China that "flowers bloom and butterflies come from themselves", and wished that China's investment hotspot would continue to blossom.
Infographic. Photo by Li Heping
Exploring together: how to create a better future together
"When it comes to China's 'opportunities and cooperation', many guests are most concerned about the growth model of China's economy." According to Zhu Min, Vice Chairman of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, China's economic growth model has been very successful in the past 40 years, and when China enters a stage of high-quality development, whether the new growth model has a sustainable future, including the high-end development of the domestic consumer market and the transformation of carbon neutrality, are all hot spots that everyone is concerned about.
Many guests also expressed their thoughts on a sustainable future. Amon Anmeng, President and CEO of Qualcomm, believes that the importance of digital transformation in achieving sustainable growth and innovation, improving operational efficiency and productivity, and enabling new business models and revenue streams is accelerating. "We have been working closely with companies in many industries around the world, including China, to drive innovation, social progress and economic growth."
"As countries around the world gradually emerge from the haze of the pandemic, while gaining important experience, we must accelerate the speed and scale of innovation." Abernaut, chairman and CEO of Pfizer, said that from now until 2025, Pfizer plans to submit marketing applications for about 12 innovative drugs in China, covering many therapeutic areas such as tumors, vaccines, anti-infection, inflammation and immunity.
Zhao Guohua, chairman of Schneider Electric, said that the Internet has changed our lives, the Internet of Things will interconnect everything, digitalization means that there will be a higher level of efficiency, and electrification is the only way to achieve decarbonization, and the combination of digitalization and electrification equals a sustainable future.
Danone's global CEO Ruian Sheng mentioned that all six Danone's beverage plants in China will achieve carbon neutrality this year. "We hope to work with government and business partners to find climate solutions for China in areas such as regenerative agriculture practices, circular and low-carbon packaging systems, forest conservation and afforestation programs, and food waste reduction."
"Opening up to the outside world is China's basic national policy, we will continue to expand market access, steadily promote institutional opening up such as rules and regulations, management standards, etc., and continue to create a market-oriented, legal, and international first-class business environment." Han Wenxiu also issued an invitation: enterprises from all over the world are welcome to invest in China, and foreign investors are also expected to establish a long-term vision and deepen their cultivation of the Chinese market. By investing in China, you can "put a long line to catch big fish". (End)