DAVOS, SWITZERLAND – As the World Economic Forum concludes its 2026 annual meeting, international delegates have turned their attention to China's next developmental leap through an unconventional exercise: sketching symbolic representations of the nation's 2031 trajectory.
Green Urban Evolution
Multiple participants visualized vertical forests integrated with smart infrastructure, reflecting confidence in China's commitment to carbon neutrality. "What surprised me was how many included detailed water recycling systems," noted CGTN's He Jingyi, observing sketches from European climate delegates.
Tech-Driven Transformation
Neural network diagrams and quantum computing symbols dominated technology predictions. A Singaporean venture capitalist sketched AI-assisted elderly care systems, telling reporters: "China's demographic challenges could drive silver economy breakthroughs by 2031."
Global Partnership Canvas
Interconnected globe illustrations highlighted expectations for China's international role. WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala commented: "These drawings consistently show China as a bridge-builder – particularly in digital trade frameworks and climate finance mechanisms."
While these artistic projections remain speculative, they coalesce around key themes: accelerated ecological modernization, AI-integrated social systems, and multilateral economic engagement. As Beijing prepares its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), global observers await concrete policy responses to these aspirational visions.
