China and WEF: Shaping the future of global collaboration

Participants walk in the town of Davos during the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, January 20, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

By Imran Khalid

The World Economic Forum (WEF) 2025 annual meeting, currently being held in Davos, Switzerland, from January 20 to 24, will convene an eclectic mix of leaders from governments, businesses and civil society alongside visionary scientific and cultural thinkers.

With the ambitious theme,"Collaboration for the Intelligent Age," the forum seeks to tackle pressing global challenges while emphasizing unity in an era defined by uncertainty. Participants are expected to explore critical issues such as navigating geopolitical upheavals, driving economic growth to uplift living standards and ensuring an equitable transition to sustainable energy systems.

The agenda revolves around five key themes: "Rethinking Growth," "Industries in the Intelligent Age," "Investing in People," "Safeguarding the Planet" and "Rebuilding Trust." These interconnected priorities aim to balance immediate needs with long-term goals, providing a roadmap for transforming industries and societies.

A January 7 report from the WEF highlights how escalating geopolitical tensions and regional instability have eroded global cooperation to an alarming degree. The report underscores the need for innovative pathways to strengthen collaboration amidst common challenges. In the words of WEF President Borge Brende, "Cooperation is the only viable strategy to confront economic, environmental and technological challenges on a global scale."

As Davos unfolds, the enduring question remains: Can a fractured world rediscover the will to collaborate in pursuit of shared prosperity? Amid intensifying geopolitical rivalries, an accelerating climate crisis and the breakneck pace of technological evolution, the WEF is urging international leaders to recommit to collective action in Davos. Set against this backdrop of global volatility, the gathering aims to spark dialogue on forging unity in an increasingly fragmented world.

The forum's lineup is dominated by luminaries from the corporate sphere, boasting the attendance of over 900 CEOs and chairs of major companies intent on leveraging innovation to confront mounting global challenges.

As Davos begins, another important question emerges : Can dialogue trump division in shaping the future?

The town of Davos is pictured during the 2025 World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, January 20, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

China's economic narrative is an indispensable thread in the fabric of global growth, commanding attention far beyond its borders. As the world's second-largest economy, its policies and priorities ripple through international markets, shaping trajectories far and wide. This dynamic will take center stage on Wednesday with the panel discussion, "Decoding China's Economy," where experts will dissect Beijing's push for high-quality development and its shift toward new, advanced productive forces.

Brende recently offered a candid assessment of China's prospects. "I'm bullish on China's economy in the medium and long term," Brende remarked in an interview. His optimism reflects a broader recognition that China's economic trajectory, amid challenges, remains central to sustaining global growth. In a world yearning for clarity and resilience, all eyes are on China's evolving playbook.

China's relationship with the WEF has mirrored the country's remarkable journey of reform and opening-up. Since its debut at Davos in 1979, China's presence at the forum has grown alongside its emergence as a global economic powerhouse. Over the past four decades, China's transformation has captivated audiences at Davos.

What began as a newcomer's participation has evolved into a stage where China-related topics command increasing attention. The WEF has not only observed China's ascent to the world's second-largest economy but has also actively facilitated its integration into the global conversation.

Through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative and its embrace of platforms such as Summer Davos, China has signaled its dedication to fostering international economic partnerships. Its emphasis on infrastructure development and technological innovation goes beyond self-advancement – it represents a commitment to linking economies, ideas, and futures worldwide.

In many ways, the WEF and China have grown together, embodying the spirit of collaboration that thrives when nations and institutions commit to common goals, even in a world increasingly divided by competing priorities.

Imran Khalid, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is a freelance columnist on international affairs.