Summary
On the morning of 24 June 2026, Premier Li Qiang of the State Council attended and addressed the opening ceremony of the 2026 Summer Davos Forum in Dalian, Liaoning Province. Approximately 1,800 representatives from various sectors worldwide were present, including Prime Minister Tarique of Bangladesh, Prime Minister Oury Bah of Guinea, Prime Minister Bektenov of Kazakhstan, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok of South Korea, Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene of Mongolia, and Prime Minister Spajić of Montenegro. Li Qiang noted that 2026 marks the first year of China's 15th Five-Year Plan, and the Chinese economy presents a multi-dimensional picture of 'stability, innovation, vitality, and integration'.
He emphasised that innovation-driven development is the key to China's long-term economic health, stating that China's innovation is achieved through hard work, applied across various industries, and nurtured within a supportive ecosystem. Recent references by international institutions and media to 'China Opportunity 2.0' demonstrate that China's emerging technologies and products offer opportunities rather than shocks to the world. Li Qiang called for deeper innovation cooperation, building an open world economy, and maintaining stability in global industrial and supply chains.
He also announced that China would further expand market access, continue to foster a first-class business environment, and sincerely welcome enterprises from all countries to invest and operate in China.
Commentary
For small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) owners in New Zealand, Premier Li Qiang's speech at Davos sends a positive signal: China will continue to expand market access and improve the business environment. This means New Zealand companies may face lower trade barriers and more favourable entry conditions, particularly in innovation and high-tech sectors. For instance, China's emphasis on 'scaled innovation' could generate demand for products in new energy, agritech, and environmental technologies.
New Zealand SMEs can leverage this window to promote deep-processing technologies for dairy and kiwifruit, or sustainable agriculture solutions. However, note that China's rising indigenous innovation capacity may intensify competition; businesses need to highlight differentiation, such as a pure brand image or organic certification. Additionally, Li Qiang's reference to 'stable global industrial and supply chains' bodes well for export-dependent firms, but geopolitical risks merit attention.
It is advisable for SMEs to closely monitor subsequent specific industry access policy adjustments in China and maintain communication with local chambers of commerce or commercial offices in China to seize cooperation opportunities.
Keywords: Li Qiang, Davos Forum, innovation, Chinese economy, 15th Five-Year Plan, open market, win-win cooperation, business environment, artificial intelligence, global governance
Summary in Chinese | 摘要
2026年6月24日上午，国务院总理李强在辽宁大连出席2026年夏季达沃斯论坛开幕式并致辞。约1800名全球各界代表出席，包括孟加拉国总理塔里克、几内亚总理乌里·巴、哈萨克斯坦总理别克捷诺夫、韩国总理金民锡、蒙古国总理乌其尔勒、黑山总理斯帕伊奇等。李强指出，2026年是中国“十五五”规划开局之年，中国经济呈现“稳、新、活、融”的多维图景。
他强调创新驱动是中国经济长期向好的关键密码，中国创新是苦练内功“拼”出来的、千行百业“用”出来的、厚植生态“育”出来的。近期国际机构和媒体提到“中国机遇2.0”，证明中国新兴领域技术和产品带给世界的是机遇而非冲击。李强呼吁深化创新合作，共建开放型世界经济，维护全球产供链稳定，并宣布中国将进一步扩大市场准入，持续打造一流营商环境，真诚欢迎各国企业来华投资兴业。
Commentary in Chinese | 评论
对于新西兰中小企业主，李强总理在达沃斯的讲话释放了积极信号：中国将继续扩大市场准入并优化营商环境。这意味着新西兰企业可能面临更低的贸易壁垒和更便利的准入条件，尤其是在创新和高科技领域。例如，中国强调的“规模化创新”可能催生对新能源、农业科技、环保技术等产品的需求，新西兰中小企业可借此窗口期推广乳制品、猕猴桃等优势产品的精深加工技术或可持续农业方案。
但需注意，中国本土创新实力上升可能加剧竞争，企业需突出差异化优势，如纯净品牌形象或有机认证。此外，李强提到的“全球产供链稳定”对依赖出口的出口商是利好，但需关注地缘政治风险。建议中小企业密切关注中国后续具体行业准入政策调整，并与当地商会或驻华商务机构保持沟通，以抓住合作先机。
关键词: 李强, 达沃斯论坛, 创新, 中国经济, 十五五规划, 开放市场, 合作共赢, 营商环境, 人工智能, 全球治理