Xin Ge, a special commentator for CGTN, is a research fellow at the Institute of Public Policy and Governance, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics (SUFE), and a chair associate professor at the School of Public Administration and Policy, SUFE. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

At the 2026 World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng delivered a speech that mapped out China's approach to global governance during a period of mounting uncertainty. With geopolitical friction and protectionist pressures on the rise, his address provided a framework centered on multilateralism and free trade, principles China views as vital for maintaining growth in a deeply interconnected world.

A primary focus of He's remarks was a steady commitment to open markets. He pointed out that while some nations are moving toward unilateral barriers, the international community must work to "firmly support free trade and jointly promote universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization." This perspective suggests that while the current system is not perfect, the solution lies in refining global cooperation rather than retreating into isolation.

He also offered a reminder that tariff and trade wars ultimately have no winners, a point that resonates in discussions occurring not just in Davos halls but also across places where trade tensions have intensified. By framing protectionist actions as a collective challenge that undermines the rules‑based system, He reiterated China's preference for cooperation and dialogue as means to resolve economic differences.

Another striking element of He's speech was his warning against a return to the "law of the jungle," where power dictates terms and smaller players are left without recourse. This metaphor highlights China's assertion that international relations and economic interactions ought to be governed by rules, equality, and mutual respect rather than by unilateral power. "Everyone should be equal before the rules," He noted, reinforcing the idea that a predictable global order is a collective asset rather than a zero-sum game.

This stance is particularly relevant given the current debates over tariffs and market access that have strained traditional alliances. In this climate, the Chinese delegation argued for resisting fragmentation in favor of preserving the frameworks that have underpinned global stability for decades.

He also addressed the role of China's economy in a changing world. Notably, he expressed a readiness for China to serve not just as a manufacturing hub (world's factory), but as a primary destination for global goods (world's market), emphasizing its willingness to expand imports and open its market more vigorously to global partners. This message sends a clear signal: China is committed to both participation in global value chains and to creating mutually beneficial economic engagement that supports international demand.

Such positioning is more than rhetoric. It reflects a strategic acknowledgment of China's evolving economic structure and its growing role as a center of consumption and innovation. By highlighting the importance of market access and openness, China is reassuring international investors and trading partners that coexistence with a large, dynamic Chinese economy can be constructive rather than competitive in zero‑sum terms.

He further underscored that differences among nations with diverse systems and development stages are natural but argued that such differences should be managed through dialogue, respect and equal consultation, not through confrontation or coercion. This emphasis aligns with broader calls at Davos for diplomacy and negotiation to address complex challenges in global economic governance.

In this respect, He's speech goes beyond partnerships in trade and investment. It points to a philosophy of engagement that places value on institutional mechanisms, like the World Trade Organization, and on bilateral and multilateral consultation as essential tools for managing disputes and fostering cooperation.

Importantly, He connected China's domestic economic performance to global opportunity, noting that China's ongoing development will bring important opportunities to the world. By linking national growth with global benefit, he articulated a narrative in which China’s rise contributes to broader economic dynamism and shared prosperity.

He's Davos message was, at its core, a reaffirmation of the values that have animated China's engagement in the global economy over the past decades: openness, cooperation and a commitment to a rules‑based international order. In a world grappling with shifting power dynamics and new economic challenges, this articulation serves both as a defense of established principles and as a forward‑looking invitation to re-energize collective efforts for inclusive growth.

For policymakers, business leaders and communities around the world, the value of this message lies in its optimism about international cooperation at a time when such cooperation is often questioned. He's address at Davos reminds us that the challenges of our time, from trade tensions to uneven development, call for cooperation rather than retreat and for a shared commitment to an open and equitable global economic framework.

In sum, the Chinese vice premier's speech at Davos offered both a defense of globalization's core tenets and a pragmatic vision for navigating current global disruptions: one that champions multilateralism, embraces open markets and emphasizes dialogue and shared solutions as pathways to sustained economic and social progress.