Summer Davos Forum Showcases China’s Innovation Drive on Global Stage
DALIAN, China — The 17th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, widely known as the Summer Davos Forum, concluded on June 25 in the northeastern Chinese port city of Dalian, delivering a resounding message: China’s innovation drive is reshaping the global economic landscape. Under the theme “Innovating at Scale,” the three-day gathering brought together more than 1,800 leaders from over 90 countries and regions, including Chinese Premier Li Qiang and six heads of government, to explore how technological breakthroughs can translate into real economic progress.
A Platform for China’s Innovation Narrative
The forum, established by the World Economic Forum in 2007 and held annually in China, served as a powerful platform for Beijing to project confidence in its innovation-led development model. According to Xinhua News, “Chinese innovation” emerged as a recurring keyword throughout the gathering, with discussions spanning artificial intelligence, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, and biotechnology.
Premier Li Qiang set the tone in his opening address, declaring that “innovation-driven cooperation is an inevitable choice to overcome the global growth dilemma,” as reported by Xinhua. He emphasized that advanced technologies “should serve as tools that benefit people across countries, rather than sources of chaos that undermine peace and stability.”
China’s Innovation by the Numbers
The research presented at the forum painted a picture of a nation that has invested heavily in its innovation ecosystem. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), China’s total research and development spending grew at an average annual rate of 10%, ranking second globally. The country has developed 24 of the world’s top 100 innovation clusters, leading the world for three consecutive years.
China’s artificial intelligence sector has been a particular standout. According to China Daily, the number of AI companies in China exceeded 6,000 in 2025, with the core AI industry valued at over 1.2 trillion yuan (approximately $176.1 billion). Chinese AI firms attracted $13.9 billion in global venture capital in 2025, ranking third worldwide according to OECD data.
Global Business Leaders Voice Confidence
Multinational CEOs attending the forum expressed strong confidence in China’s innovation ecosystem. Conrad Keijzer, CEO of Clariant, told Xinhua that China has “successfully transformed from a ‘world factory’ into an ‘innovation magnet,’ leading the world in many fields such as new energy vehicles, renewable energy, and artificial intelligence.”
Svein Tore Holsether, President and CEO of Yara International, noted that “when it comes to addressing global challenges, China is undoubtedly one of the most important countries,” highlighting China’s leadership in agricultural innovation.
The World Economic Forum also announced 16 new members of its Global Lighthouse Network — factories deploying advanced technologies at scale — with multiple Chinese cases selected, underscoring the country’s manufacturing prowess.
Green Innovation on Display
The forum itself was a showcase of sustainable innovation. New energy vehicles accounted for more than 80% of the transportation fleet, while the Dalian International Conference Center ran entirely on green electricity. The venue’s air-conditioning system employed seawater-source heat pump technology, cutting energy consumption by over 30%.
Dalian, the host city, has leveraged its coastal geography to build a clean-energy industrial chain, with more than 50 enterprises and research institutions now operating in hydrogen production, storage, fuel cells, and applications.
Navigating Global Economic Uncertainty
The forum took place against a backdrop of significant global economic headwinds. Nearly 90% of WEF chief economists expect global growth to weaken, with tariff actions affecting approximately 11% of world trade since early 2025. The WTO projects goods trade growth will slow from 4.6% in 2025 to 1.9% in 2026.
Despite these challenges, China is expected to account for over a quarter of global real GDP growth in 2026, according to WEF projections. Premier Li Qiang reinforced China’s commitment to openness, stating: “Regardless of how the international landscape changes, China’s door will only open wider. We will further expand market access, fully implement national treatment for foreign-funded enterprises, and continue to create a first-class business environment.”
Analysis: Three Pillars of China’s Innovation Message
The Xinhua coverage structured its narrative around three themes: ubiquitous and tangible innovation visible at the forum itself; accumulated and deeply rooted innovation built through long-term R&D investment and policy continuity; and open and shared innovation emphasizing China’s commitment to sharing benefits globally, particularly with developing countries.
Columbia University Professor Adam Tooze noted that “China’s formulation of five-year plans ensures policy and initiative continuity, which is one of the reasons for China’s accelerated development.” The recently unveiled 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) doubles down on technological self-reliance in clean energy, semiconductors, and biotechnology while maintaining openness to global trade.
What Comes Next
As the forum concluded, WEF Managing Director Mirek Dušek announced that the next Summer Davos will be held in Tianjin in 2027. The outcomes from this year’s gathering suggest continued emphasis on AI, clean energy, biotech, and advanced manufacturing as priority sectors for China’s innovation trajectory.
Andre Hoffmann, Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum, offered a cautionary perspective: “Technological progress is one of the most powerful tools for addressing the existential challenges of a growing global population. Innovation only has value if it serves humanity and preserves the conditions that make life possible in the first place.”
For global investors and policymakers, the message from Dalian was clear: China intends to remain at the center of global innovation — not just as a manufacturer, but as a creator, collaborator, and competitor in the technologies that will define the 21st century economy.