Global business leaders gathered at Tianjin's 2025 Summer Davos forum this week to chart pathways for economic resilience, with China emerging as a central player in advancing technological innovation and sustainable development. The World Economic Forum's Neo Gim Huay and McKinsey Greater China Chairman Joe Ngai highlighted frontier technologies and ecological priorities as twin engines for future growth.
Frontier Technologies Take Center Stage
"What we're seeing is a fundamental rewiring of economic value chains," said Ngai during the CGTN-hosted panel, noting artificial intelligence and quantum computing are reshaping industries from manufacturing to healthcare. Forum managing director Neo emphasized China's unique position: "The scale of implementation here creates living laboratories for global solutions."
Green Development as Business Imperative
Discussions revealed a paradigm shift where environmental sustainability now drives profitability. Ngai cited Chinese solar panel producers reducing costs by 80% in a decade as evidence that "green tech investments compound value." Neo added that 63% of CEOs now view climate action as revenue-positive rather than regulatory compliance.
China's Dual Role in Global Transformation
Panelists identified three key Chinese contributions: massive renewable energy deployment, digital infrastructure exports through initiatives like Digital Silk Road, and serving as testbed for emerging technologies. "When China moves, it creates new gravity in global markets," Neo observed, pointing to recent breakthroughs in carbon capture commercialization.
The dialogue concluded with consensus that multilateral cooperation remains vital. As Ngai noted: "The future economy won't be built by any single nation, but through shared innovation ecosystems."
