China Development Forum 2026: Beijing Asserts Role as Global Stabilizing Force - News and Statistics

Mar 25, 2026

Global corporate executives attending China’s flagship annual business conference this week were reassured by leaders of the world’s second-largest economy that it remains a predictable anchor at a time of geopolitical flux and global uncertainty.

The tone at this year’s China Development Forum (CDF), which ended on Monday, was noticeably more confident than in recent years, analysts said, marking a shift from previous post-pandemic forums where officials tended to emphasise support measures and recovery trajectories.

The timing of the forum sharpened that message. Nearly a year into a bruising trade war and ahead of a postponed summit between President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump, Beijing is navigating strained ties with Washington and faces rising trade barriers elsewhere off the back of a record $1.2 trillion trade surplus in 2025.

The U.S.-Israeli war with Iran has caused a surge in energy prices that is rippling across the wider global economy and given Beijing another opportunity to promote itself as a bastion of calm that respects sovereignty and the international, rules-based order.

Reflection of Shifting Geopolitical Landscape

Attendance patterns reflected shifting geopolitical boundaries. A higher share of U.S. corporate leaders travelled to Beijing compared with previous years, among them the CEOs of Apple, McDonald’s, Eli Lilly, Coach parent Tapestry and Mastercard. Their presence suggested that despite tensions, American multinationals remain keen to keep channels open with Beijing, as the two countries recalibrate trade and investment flows.

Stability, a recurring theme from last year’s CDF, resonated more strongly this year. Given all the erratic policies introduced by Donald Trump and the uncertainty his policies have introduced to the world economy, the message of China being a stabilizing force probably finds a more willing audience this year than last year.

Absent, however, were Japanese executives—a stark contrast with last year, when their involvement included a widely publicised meeting between top global CEOs and Xi. Their non-attendance this year comes amid a diplomatic rift between Beijing and Tokyo, underscoring how China’s promises of renewed openness still operate firmly within geopolitical red lines.

1. INTRODUCTION

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2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

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3. MARKET OVERVIEW

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10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS

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