CHINA’S GROWTH MOMENT

The meeting comes at a significant juncture for China, as the country begins implementing its 15th Five-Year Plan.

The blueprint places technological innovation at the heart of China’s future growth strategy, making it a key area of interest for many attendees.

“We hope this meeting will showcase the achievements of China’s high-quality economic development, convey China’s firm commitment to openness and cooperation, and share the vast opportunities created by Chinese modernisation,” said Gao Weiqi, deputy director-general of the National Development and Reform Commission’s international cooperation department.

“China’s healthy and stable development will inject greater certainty and new momentum into the world economy.”

China’s economic outlook remains firmly in focus, with weak domestic consumption and a prolonged property downturn weighing on the economy.

Observers say discussions this week could offer clues about the direction of the world’s second-largest economy.

Dusek said there is strong global interest in China’s innovation ecosystem, including the policies and industry-government partnerships that have helped build its robust innovation value chain.

He added that China, and Asia more broadly, have not only been at the forefront of research and development in emerging technologies, but have also led the way in deploying these innovations across industries.