🇨🇳China promises greater economic openness amid tensions over its record surplus
Chinese Premier Li Qiang reaffirmed this weekend his country's commitment to economic openness during the China Development Forum 2026. In a context of increasing international pressure over the trade imbalance, Li assured that China will deepen access for foreign companies and increase the import of high-quality goods.
The announcement comes after China closed 2025 with a record trade surplus of $1.2 trillion, a figure that has intensified criticism from trading partners such as the United States and the European Union. The governor of the central bank, Pan Gongsheng, complemented the message by pointing out that global imbalances cannot be evaluated solely from the trade of goods, as the country also records the largest global deficit in services. He also dismissed any intention to depreciate the yuan to gain competitiveness.
Beyond trade, foreign direct investment fell by 5.7% in January, prompting Beijing to accelerate incentives in more than 200 sectors, with tax benefits and a focus on advanced manufacturing, technology, and the green economy. Executives from major multinationals such as Apple, Volkswagen, and HSBC were present at the forum, a sign that China remains a relevant destination, although the business environment has become more complex.