Premier Li Qiang pledges expanded market access for foreign investors

Reiterating China's commitment to openness and global collaboration, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said on Sunday that China will further expand market access in various sectors for foreign investors.

Delivering the opening address at the China Development Forum 2025 (CDF), Li pledged to introduce more measures to help foreign-funded enterprises integrate into the Chinese market.

Li noted that the Chinese economy has strong resilience, tremendous potential and great vitality, adding that the country is confident and capable of maintaining long-term stable growth while providing more opportunities for global economic recovery.

The Chinese premier called for joint efforts to promote the development of the world economy in a more open, inclusive and sustainable direction.

The China Development Forum 2025 is being held on March 23 and 24 under the theme "Unleashing Development Momentum for Stable Global Growth." This year's CDF features 12 symposiums and several closed-door sessions, covering topics such as healthcare, consumption, AI and sustainable supply chains.

'Right path'

Speaking at the forum, which was attended by more than 80 top executives from leading foreign multinationals, Li expressed China's warm welcome for investments from businesses worldwide, emphasizing that foreign-funded enterprises are indispensable participants and contributors to China's development.

The Chinese premier called on global executives to seize opportunities in China's vast consumer market, renewed momentum in innovation and booming green economy.

Li urged international businesses to resist protectionism, expressing hope that entrepreneurs would play their unique roles and take more active steps to uphold economic globalization.

"Enterprises are not only beneficiaries of globalization but should also become firm defenders and promoters of globalization," he added.

Li warned that decoupling and breaking supply chains would only deepen crises, while suppression and containment would ultimately harm all parties. "If the world returns to the law of the jungle, it will be a step backward in history and a tragedy for humanity."

"As a responsible major country, China will firmly stand on the right side of history and the side of fairness and justice. In the wind and waves of the times, we should be righteous and walk the right path," said Li.

Preparing for external impacts

"We have prepared for possible unexpected shocks, which, of course, mainly come from external sources. Where necessary, the Chinese government will introduce new policies to ensure the smooth operation of the Chinese economy," Li told attendees.

China announced its economic growth target of around 5 percent for 2025 during the Two Sessions, the annual meetings of China's top legislature, the National People's Congress (NPC), and the top political advisory body, the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). Li said the target was set based on China's economic fundamentals and Beijing's firm confidence in its capabilities and potential for future development.

New growth drivers across various sectors are continuously emerging and expanding, providing sustained momentum for China's economic development, Li stressed.

He added that China will intensify policy efforts while leveraging market forces to achieve the central government's expected target.