Chinese Premier Li Qiang has stressed creating new market opportunities through openness and technological progress, and upholding global market order through healthy and fair competition, delivering a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the China Development Forum 2026 in Beijing on Sunday.
Li said the world is undergoing profound and complex changes, with unilateralism and protectionism running rampant while forces advocating cooperation continue to grow stronger. He noted that economic growth in traditional sectors faces difficulties while development in emerging fields is gaining momentum, and that calls for fairness and justice are growing louder amid prevailing power politics.
The premier shared three key observations. First, the market has become a scarce resource yet can be continuously expanded through openness and technological progress. “Protectionism is no panacea,” he said, urging expansion of free trade and active fostering of innovation.
Second, he said healthy competition combined with cooperation can yield mutual benefits and win-win outcomes, stressing that China’s competitive advantages stem not from subsidies or protection but from persistent reforms, innovation-driven development, and the diligence of the Chinese people and enterprises.
Third, Li said a brighter future is increasingly within reach despite challenges ahead, calling for maintaining confidence and taking concrete action. He noted the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) serves as a new opportunity for global progress, pledging to fully implement national treatment for foreign-funded enterprises so businesses from all countries can operate in China with confidence.
The opening ceremony was attended by about 750 representatives from industrial and business communities at home and abroad. The forum is hosted by the Development Research Center of the State Council.
https://english.news.cn/20260322/cf1d6d7bfe444fba908231ad329fa61e/c.html
