From Davos to the world: China's expanding opening-up and the future of global growth

Editor's note: Jessica Durdu, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is a foreign affairs specialist and PhD candidate in international relations at China Foreign Affairs University. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

As the world's political and economic elite convene in Davos-Klosters for the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2026 under the theme "A Spirit of Dialogue," the choice of focus is both timely and necessary. The global system today is characterized by intensifying competition, fragmented supply chains, geopolitical uncertainty and uneven economic recovery. In such an environment, dialogue is no longer a diplomatic formality; it is an essential mechanism for preventing systemic paralysis.

Against this backdrop, China's consistent engagement with Davos and its renewed commitment to high-level opening-up deserve close scrutiny.​ China's development is an opportunity, not a threat. And China is willing to leverage its market advantages and share its opportunities with other countries, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng said on Tuesday at the WEF.

For many years, China has treated the forum not merely as a platform for economic exchange, but as a stage for articulating its vision of global governance. High-level Chinese delegations have used Davos to signal continuity, predictability and openness – qualities increasingly scarce in global politics. This sustained presence reflects China's evolving role in the global economy. While accounting for roughly 18 percent of global GDP, China's contribution to global growth has often exceeded 30 percent in recent years, underscoring a structural reality: China's economic trajectory has global consequences well beyond its statistical weight.​

The Davos 2026 meeting takes place at a particularly significant moment for China. As the country advances toward its 15th Five-Year Plan, China has repeatedly emphasized high-level opening-up as a central pillar of future development. This concept goes beyond traditional market access. It encompasses institutional opening, rule alignment, enhanced protection of foreign investment, deeper integration into global value chains and a more proactive role in shaping international economic norms.​

This approach is not theoretical. In recent years, China has steadily shortened its negative list for foreign investment, expanded pilot free trade zones and promoted high-standard trade agreements. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership has already created the world's largest free trade area, covering nearly 30 percent of global GDP.

At previous Davos meetings, members of the Chinese delegation have repeatedly stressed that opening-up is not a short-term policy choice but a long-term national strategy. Such statements carry weight precisely because they are reinforced by outcomes.

Despite global headwinds, China remains one of the world's top destinations for foreign direct investment, particularly in high-tech manufacturing, green energy and advanced services. In 2024 alone, foreign-invested enterprises accounted for nearly one-third of China's total trade value, demonstrating the depth of mutual interdependence between China and the global economy.​

The relevance of China's opening-up becomes even clearer when viewed through the lens of global competition, which today is no longer confined to markets; it increasingly extends to standards, technologies and development models. Yet competition does not have to imply fragmentation. China's emphasis on dialogue at Davos suggests an alternative logic: Competition and cooperation can coexist if underpinned by openness, predictability and institutional engagement.​

This perspective is particularly important for developing economies. For many countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America, global growth prospects depend on access to markets, capital, technology and infrastructure. China's continued opening – whether through trade, investment, or development cooperation – helps sustain these channels at a time when protectionist pressures are rising elsewhere.

The expansion of green technology cooperation is a notable example: China today produces more than 70 percent of the world's solar panels and is a key supplier of electric vehicle components, contributing directly to global decarbonization efforts.​

Equally significant is China's role in stabilizing global supply chains. Rather than pursuing decoupling, China has consistently advocated for resilient and inclusive supply chains. This position resonates with many multinational companies, which increasingly view diversification and connectivity as complementary rather than contradictory goals. At Davos, Chinese representatives have often emphasized that a fragmented global economy would ultimately undermine innovation, efficiency and shared prosperity.​

The theme "A Spirit of Dialogue" thus aligns closely with China's broader international posture. Dialogue, in this sense, is not passive; it is an active process of coordination, trust-building and problem-solving. By combining high-level opening-up with sustained engagement in multilateral forums like Davos, China positions itself as a stabilizing force in a volatile global landscape.​

As the world searches for new engines of growth, China's experience offers an important lesson. Openness is not a vulnerability but a source of resilience. For global growth to regain momentum, it will require not only competition-driven innovation but also cooperation-driven scale. China's trajectory toward deeper opening-up – articulated clearly on global platforms and backed by concrete policy implementation – will therefore remain a key variable shaping the world economy in the years ahead.​

In Davos 2026, dialogue will be the theme. But for China, dialogue has long been a strategy – one that continues to shape its engagement with the world and, increasingly, the future of global growth itself.

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at opinions@cgtn.com. Follow @thouse_opinions on X, formerly Twitter, to discover the latest commentaries in the CGTN Opinion Section.)