On 20th January,2026, at the World Economic Forum, Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng delivered a speech that has garnered broad admiration worldwide, casting China in the light of a reliable champion for open markets and collective action amid growing barriers to trade and international discord. Commentators from outlets like CNN and Reuters lauded it as a much-needed reminder of China\u2019s steadying influence, providing a composed alternative to polarising approaches, including the \u201cAmerica First\u201d strategy under US President Donald Trump. Experts from groups such as Headsight viewed it as strong backing for China\u2019s push towards closer ties in the Asia-Pacific region, whereas CGTN, linked to the state, emphasised its sharp rebuke of one-sided tactics, labelling it a stand against a \u201csurvival-of-the-fittest\u201d mindset where might trumps right. Given the backdrop of slow economic expansion and splintering trade networks, the address struck a chord with participants eager for joint efforts to tackle common issues.<\/p>\n
During his roughly 25-minute talk on Tuesday, with introductions from WEF chief Borge Brende and trustee Andr\u00e9 Hoffmann, He drew on President Xi Jinping\u2019s earlier appearances at Davos in 2017 and 2021 to reaffirm China\u2019s dedication to a connected global economy. He cautioned against efforts to unwind these ties, echoing Xi\u2019s vivid image that trying to divert the ocean\u2019s flow into separate ponds is utterly futile. Central themes revolved around fostering an \u201ceconomic globalisation that benefits everyone and includes all,\u201d encouraging the construction of connections over divisions and ensuring fair distribution of gains. He took aim at the surge in self-serving policies and trade shields, referencing WTO figures on the fall in equal-treatment trade from 80% to 72%, alongside IMF projections that such splits might cut global production by 7%. He pointed out that \u201ccooperation brings mutual benefits, while clashes lead to losses,\u201d and framed China as a collaborator, presenting chances, not challenges. He further detailed China\u2019s progress at home, such as a 5.4% yearly growth average across five years, an economy topping CNY 140 trillion, and imports worth $15 trillion, while pledging deeper reforms, advancements in science, safeguards for ideas, and eco-friendly shifts targeting zero carbon by 2060. Wrapping up on a hopeful note, he declared: \u201cDavos thrives on conversation, and our shared future depends on working together.\u201d<\/p>\n
This took place during the 56th annual WEF gathering, under the banner \u201cA Spirit of Dialogue,\u201d spanning 19 to 23 January and convening world figures to confront problems like shaky economies and tech upheavals. Established by Klaus Schwab in 1971, the event has always facilitated partnerships between governments and businesses, with China through Xi\u2019s pivotal talks\u00a0 regularly advocating for unrestricted commerce in the face of inward-looking shifts. The atmosphere this year feels especially tense, fuelled by ongoing disputes, Trump\u2019s tough tariffs, and odd moves like urging Denmark to hand over Greenland, all deepening economic rifts. Despite hurdles, China\u2019s bumper trade excess in 2025 highlights its toughness, though it also stirs overseas concerns.<\/p>\n
Born in Fujian Province in 1955, He Lifeng has climbed the Chinese Communist Party ladder over 40 years, building a strong bond with Xi Jinping from their overlapping stints in Fujian. Holding economics qualifications from Xiamen and Fudan universities, he occupied significant local positions in Xiamen, Quanzhou, and Fuzhou prior to broader duties, such as leading the National Development and Reform Commission starting in 2017 and serving as Vice-Premier from 2023, managing fiscal and economic matters. His work has centred on boosting spending, tightening financial oversight, and advancing fields like artificial intelligence, solidifying his position as a central figure in China\u2019s modernisation drive.<\/p>\n
With the meeting ongoing, He\u2019s words are regarded as enhancing China\u2019s standing on the world stage, promoting talks at a time when teamwork is essential for steering through uncertainty.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
On 20th January,2026, at the World Economic Forum, Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng delivered a speech that has garnered broad admiration\u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":443,"featured_media":1470,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[736,792,694,735,95],"class_list":["post-1464","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-china","tag-borge-brende","tag-chinese-communist-party","tag-he-lifeng","tag-the-world-economic-forum","tag-xi-jinping"],"reading_time":"3 min read","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.businessupturn.com\/trade-policy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1464","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.businessupturn.com\/trade-policy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.businessupturn.com\/trade-policy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.businessupturn.com\/trade-policy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/443"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.businessupturn.com\/trade-policy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1464"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.businessupturn.com\/trade-policy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1464\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1476,"href":"https:\/\/www.businessupturn.com\/trade-policy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1464\/revisions\/1476"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.businessupturn.com\/trade-policy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1470"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.businessupturn.com\/trade-policy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1464"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.businessupturn.com\/trade-policy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1464"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.businessupturn.com\/trade-policy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1464"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}