Davos 2026: Reflections from Latin America and Chinese perspectives on dialogue and cooperation

Editor's Note: This article is part of a joint analysis by PIA Global and CGTN. Tadeo Casteglione is an international affairs analyst at PIA Global. Lin G. is an economic commentator at CGTN. The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the editorial positions of CGTN.

The 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) is being held in Davos amid growing global uncertainty. Geopolitical tensions, the fragmentation of the global economy, the acceleration of technological change, and concerns over long-term development prospects are profoundly shaping the international agenda. Under the theme “The Spirit of Dialogue,” the forum brings together political, business, and academic representatives from nearly 130 countries to exchange views on global governance, economic growth, and future pathways for cooperation.

For many regions, including Latin America and China, Davos is seen simultaneously as an important platform for international dialogue and as a space that prompts debate and reflection on its real impact. Divergent perceptions of the forum reflect ongoing discussions among emerging economies about how global engagement can better serve national development objectives.

Latin American reflections on global forums

From a Latin American perspective, participation in global forums such as Davos has in recent years generated deeper debate. Some analysts in the region have pointed out that high-level international visibility does not necessarily translate into tangible economic improvements or social benefits at the domestic level. Poverty, pressures arising from fiscal adjustment, and uneven economic recovery remain central themes in public debate across many Latin American countries.

In this context, how to balance international engagement with national and regional priorities has become a key issue for countries in the region. Some governments have opted for a relatively low-profile presence at global forums, prioritizing regional integration, domestic economic recovery, and South–South cooperation. These choices reflect the diversity of development trajectories in Latin America and a cautious approach toward one-size-fits-all models of globalization.

At the same time, such reflections do not imply a rejection of international dialogue itself. On the contrary, they express a demand for more inclusive and results-oriented global governance mechanisms — ones that are better able to respond to the realities and needs of developing countries and to promote sustainable growth.

Shared challenges of emerging economies

Beyond specific national cases, debates surrounding Davos highlight challenges common to many emerging economies: How to participate in global decision-making without neglecting domestic development priorities, and how to ensure that dialogue at international forums goes beyond symbolism and translates into long-term stability, economic growth, and social inclusion.

These issues resonate widely across the so-called Global South. While global forums offer opportunities for exchange and coordination, they also reveal tensions between global economic structures and national development strategies. In this sense, Davos functions both as a mirror of global inequalities and divergences and as a space for the expression and exchange of different policy perspectives and approaches.

A Chinese perspective: Davos and global cooperation

From China's perspective, the WEF is regarded primarily as a platform for dialogue, coordination of positions, and the promotion of long-term cooperation, rather than as a venue for ideological alignment or short-term political positioning. In a context of increasing global fragmentation, China has consistently emphasized the importance of multilateralism, open cooperation, and inclusive globalization.

This year, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng attended the WEF Annual Meeting in Davos, reflecting the importance China attaches to the forum as a mechanism for dialogue and exchange. His remarks during the meeting made clear that China's focus was not on responding to specific countries or concrete geopolitical issues, but on reiterating its fundamental principles — particularly those derived from the global governance initiatives proposed by China in 2025. These principles emphasize sovereign equality, genuine multilateralism, and broader participation in global governance processes.

In recent years, China's participation at Davos has focused on issues such as global economic stability, green transition, industrial modernization, and reform of the global governance system. For China, attendance at the forum is not an end in itself, but rather a channel for sharing development experiences, explaining policy orientations, and exploring opportunities for pragmatic cooperation. This approach reflects a long-term vision aimed at promoting a more inclusive and balanced global governance system through dialogue, consultation, and institutional cooperation.

China–Latin America cooperation in the Davos context

Against this backdrop, cooperation between China and Latin America has become an increasingly important dimension of global dialogue. Over the past decades, the China–Latin America relationship has been grounded in economic complementarity and has deepened across areas such as trade, infrastructure development, energy cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges.

For China and Latin American countries alike, forums such as Davos offer an opportunity to examine how South–South cooperation can contribute to development, strengthen economic resilience, and promote diversification in a complex and evolving international environment. Beyond critical reflection, this type of dialogue also facilitates the exploration of more pragmatic avenues for cooperation in areas such as sustainable development, technological innovation, and global governance reform.

As the Davos Forum 2026 draws to an end, the coexistence of critical reflection and pragmatic cooperation once again becomes evident. Global forums remain spaces for debate and diversity of views, but they also provide emerging economies with a platform to articulate their concerns, deepen cooperation, and participate in a more inclusive and balanced global conversation.