WEF executive praises China as key anchor for collaboration amid risks

As geopolitical and economic uncertainties continue to shape the global outlook, China's role in supporting international cooperation is becoming increasingly important, says Gim Huay Neo, managing director and chair of Greater China at the World Economic Forum.

China is "a very important stakeholder" not only in economics but also in addressing global challenges such as climate change and collaboration on trade investments, Neo said, adding that the country's contribution will be critical in identifying solutions and areas where countries and businesses can work together to move the world forward.

Her comments come as global risks are increasingly driven by geopolitical and economic tensions. The WEF's latest Global Risks Report identifies geoeconomic confrontation as the top concern.

"We are seeing increased tensions between countries around economics and geopolitics," Neo said.

Against this backdrop, she said China's extensive trade ties with more than 160 countries and regions position it well to support development-oriented partnerships, particularly with economies in the Global South.

"Many of them are developing economies. I think they will be looking at areas where China can continue to invest in supporting their economic growth," she said, pointing to cooperation in talent development, job creation and climate action.

China's development experience is also being closely studied by many developing countries, Neo said.

"Over the last four decades, China has lifted 800 million people out of poverty, and the middle-income group continues to grow," she said, noting that many countries are keen to learn from that experience while adapting it to their own national conditions.

Resilient economy

At the same time, China's domestic economic fundamentals and long-term development strategy are attracting sustained attention from the international business community, Neo said.

"The Chinese economy remains extremely resilient because of long-term investments into people, talent, capabilities, and also the emphasis on technology and innovation, which is integrated to create advanced manufacturing productivity outcomes," she said.

She highlighted the WEF's Global Lighthouse Network, which showcases best-in-class manufacturing practices worldwide, saying that 40 percent of these sites are in China. The country also accounts for 40 percent of companies recognized for strong and scalable applications of artificial intelligence, reflecting its growing role in integrating digital technologies into real-economy production.

Domestic consumption is another major focus under the forthcoming 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), particularly in sectors linked to improving quality of life, she said.

"There is also going to be some stimulus to drive domestic consumption, especially in new areas such as healthcare, education, travel and tourism," she said, adding that these areas are expected to generate new opportunities for both domestic and international businesses.

China's development strategy, she said, combines outward openness with expanding domestic demand, creating space for deeper two-way engagement. "There's going to be more avenues for this two-way flow, building on dialogue and forging areas of common interest."

Although China's growth rate has moderated from earlier decades, Neo emphasized that its contribution to global expansion remains substantial because of the size of its economy.

"As one of the world's largest economies, China is also a very significant growth engine. Five percent may look modest, but in absolute terms, it is the size of the Swiss economy," she said, referring to China's 2025 GDP growth of 5 percent, according to figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics on Monday.