The World's "Cornerstone of Certainty" and "Harbor of Stability"

(Original Title: China Development Forum 2026 Annual Conference Foreign Guests View China — The “Foundation of Certainty” and “Harbor of Stability” for the World)

From March 22 to 23, the China Development Forum 2026 Annual Conference was held in Beijing. Representatives from international organizations, Fortune 500 multinational companies, and the global business community gathered to engage in in-depth discussions on China’s new blueprint for the 14th Five-Year Plan, new measures for opening up, and new opportunities for global cooperation. Participants generally believe that during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China’s high-quality development will continue to unleash growth and cooperation potential, injecting momentum into the global economy. China is unwavering in expanding high-level opening-up, empowering global development through its own growth, serving as the “cornerstone of certainty” and “harbor of stability” for the world. All parties will continue to deepen their presence in the Chinese market, increase investments in China, and work together with China.

“A Stable Force and Core Engine for Global Stability, Growth, Trade, and Technological Transformation”

As the first large-scale national international forum held after the National Two Sessions, this year’s conference theme is “China in the 14th Five-Year Plan: High-Quality Development and Co-Creating New Opportunities.” Over the two days, 13 thematic seminars and several closed-door meetings were held intensively. Guests discussed topics including macro policies and high-quality development, new trends and opportunities in consumer growth, global green low-carbon transition and sustainable development, technological innovation and future industry development, and digital transformation in manufacturing, casting a “vote of confidence” for China’s development prospects.

“Over the past 30 years, I have visited China many times and witnessed the tremendous achievements China has made,” said Tim Cook, CEO of Apple Inc. Each visit deeply impresses him with China’s innovative spirit and creative vitality. “Apple is confident in China’s remarkable development achievements and remains committed to working together.”

“China is entering a new stage of development and will shape the next era of global growth,” said Noel Quinn, CEO of HSBC Group. He noted that China’s economy is invigorating emerging industries and has the strength to achieve greater breakthroughs. Chinese companies are accelerating their “going global” efforts, with strong growth in foreign direct investment.

John Quirch, President and Executive Vice President of Duke Kunshan University’s U.S. campus, believes that China’s consistent 5% growth over many years is very rare amid numerous uncertainties in the global economy.

“China is one of the most important markets globally, with a highly dynamic innovation ecosystem,” said Oliver Zipse, Chairman of BMW Group. He announced that in the second half of this year, BMW will launch its next-generation model in China, which will be the most localized BMW product in China. BMW’s deep cooperation with Chinese partners in R&D, supply chain, and digital ecosystems demonstrates confidence in China’s industrial development.

Morten Wierod, President and CEO of ABB Group, stated that China has built the world’s largest and fastest-growing renewable energy system, with renewable energy installed capacity increasing to about 60%, playing an important role in the global industrial and energy landscape.

“China is a stable force and core engine for global stability, growth, trade, and technological transformation,” said Lesetja Kganyago, President of the New Development Bank. He emphasized that high-quality development has become a distinctive feature of China today, marking a shift toward growth driven by new quality productivity, innovation, sustainability, and resilience.

“Providing Certainty and Predictability for Long-term Global Economic Growth”

When asked about expectations for China-foreign cooperation, many foreign guests pointed to the “14th Five-Year Plan.”

“The ‘14th Five-Year Plan’ signals China’s clear focus on innovation-driven development, new quality productivity, and sustainability. Amid rising global economic uncertainties and the rapid shift in growth momentum, China provides certainty and predictability for long-term global economic growth,” said Peter Zaffino, CEO of AIG. He added that China’s acceleration in innovation and digital economy development, further optimization of its economic structure, and continuous expansion of high-level opening-up will create more opportunities in trade, investment, and financing for the world.

Jorge Quirico, CEO of Rio Tinto, believes that the “14th Five-Year Plan” provides a clear roadmap for China’s high-quality development, innovation, and technological progress.

Jeff Mossa, Chairman and CEO of Medtronic, stated that during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China will focus on driving high-quality development through innovation and sustainable growth, deeply integrating new quality productivity with actual demand. Medtronic will continue to deepen its presence in China, relying on its full value chain layout in China, with ongoing investments and strengthened cooperation.

Zoe Hu, Chairman of Schneider Electric, believes that China’s energy transition and the deep integration of digital technologies like artificial intelligence will provide strong momentum for social and economic development and industrial upgrading, opening broad development space for Schneider Electric.

“PepsiCo’s confidence in continued investment in China stems from China being one of the most vibrant consumer markets globally,” said Ram Krishnan, Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo. He noted that the “14th Five-Year Plan” explicitly emphasizes “expanding domestic demand,” which aligns highly with PepsiCo’s business focus.

Gao Qiaowan, CEO of Tapestry Group, said that China’s vibrant market vitality, advanced digital infrastructure, and high-quality talent resources enable the company to work closely with partners, continuously exploring innovation in products, experiences, and faster go-to-market models.

Michael Nielson, President and CEO of Amway, stated that the “14th Five-Year Plan” emphasizes “investment in both material and human resources,” proposing to “accelerate the building of a Healthy China.” The growing service consumption, the emergence of the silver economy, and new consumer trends create new opportunities for enterprises.

“Opening Unprecedented Market Space and Cooperation Opportunities for Chinese and Foreign Enterprises”

Participants believe that China is committed to being the “cornerstone of certainty” and “harbor of stability” for the world, continuously expanding high-level opening-up and working with all parties to enlarge the global trade and economic pie.

“The certainty of the Chinese market is the foundation for enterprises investing in China,” said Hsu Hsin-hsiung, CEO of Thai Tencel Group. He emphasized that the group firmly believes investing in China is investing in the future, always viewing China as one of the most important markets in its global strategy, and pursuing long-term development in China.

“The continuity and predictability of Chinese policies are valuable resources in today’s world,” said Kai Pfaffenbach, Executive Board Chairman of BASF. He stated that BASF will continue to deepen its layout in China, working with upstream and downstream partners in the Chinese industrial chain to seize opportunities brought by green transformation and technological innovation.

From March 23 to 24, Siemens held its first Technology Conference in Beijing. “China demonstrates strong development vitality and plays an increasingly important role in the global innovation ecosystem,” said Joe Kaeser, Chairman of Siemens AG. He noted that China’s ongoing optimization of the business environment for foreign-invested enterprises and its positive signals to the global business community are encouraging. The open policy environment, combined with strong innovation momentum and abundant talent resources, provides German companies with broad space to deepen cooperation and achieve growth in China.

Zou Jiahui, President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, said that the “14th Five-Year Plan” injects confidence into China’s future development and will contribute positively to the industrialization process of many developing economies and the supply of global and regional public goods.

Heda Hergenroeder, President and CEO of Wacker Chemie AG, stated that the “14th Five-Year Plan” proposes to “actively expand independent opening-up” and “create a transparent, stable, and predictable institutional environment,” indicating that China will embrace global cooperation with a more open attitude, creating abundant opportunities and more stable expectations for multinational enterprises. “China’s unwavering commitment to expanding opening-up and promoting high-quality development will continue to serve as a ‘stability anchor,’ providing rare confidence and certainty for the global economy.”

“Deep adjustments in the global geopolitical landscape and weakened economic recovery momentum have shown China’s valuable stability and leadership,” said Zou Jun, Chairman of KPMG China. He noted that during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China will better coordinate qualitative improvements and reasonable quantitative growth through systemic institutional design, opening unprecedented market space and cooperation opportunities for Chinese and foreign enterprises in areas such as high-level opening-up, supply chain innovation, and green low-carbon transformation.