Anastasia Nesvetailova, Director of the Macroeconomic and Development Policies Branch, United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD) praised China as a “global voice for development and emerging markets,” emphasizing the unique value of the Chinese approach to strategic planning and development.
“Having a Chinese perspective, backed by strategic vision, coordination and clear developmental aims, is particularly important for smaller economies that do not have the advantages of scale or vast human capital,” she said.
Reflecting on the CIIE, she observed a strong commitment to constructive dialogue, effective action and preserving multilateralism—potentially in a new, more development-oriented form. She lauded the expo as a “worthwhile and critically important institution.”
Nesvetailova also highlighted China’s ongoing green transformation. “China is an undisputed leader in the energy transition,” she said. “It is making technological breakthroughs across various sectors, making these technologies accessible and demonstrating how an integrated approach is vital for greening the economy alongside structural transformation and growth. For this reason alone, the insights and tangible products on display at the CIIE are incredibly significant for international guests.”
Jack Perry, Chairman of the 48 Group Club and Chairman of the London Export Corporation, has observed China’s progression and acceleration across numerous sectors.
“The West was largely unaware of the extent of this acceleration and expertise,” he said. “If you come to China now and see the dynamic fields the country is focused on, you can begin to understand where the real opportunities lie. If you don’t—if you fail to attend events like the CIIE or the other expos China hosts—you will never learn.”
Professor Richard Baldwin of the International Institute for Management Development in Lausanne addressed global geopolitical tensions, expressing his hope that China will be “part of the solution to keeping the waters calm and allowing international business to continue”.
He pointed to the advanced commodities and products at the CIIE as evidence of China’s shifting competitive edge, seeing the fruits of “Made in China” evolving from labor-intensive goods to sophisticated products like electric vehicles and other advanced technologies.
Looking ahead, he identified significant potential for China in exporting high-end services. “I believe service exports represent an enormous opportunity for rapid growth,” he envisioned, estimating that over the medium term, say five to 10 years, China will likely be moving into service exports in a very substantial way.
He also highlighted green technology as the most promising field for Sino-Western collaboration. “The entire world will need a massive amount of green technology, whether it’s solar cells, wind turbines or other forms of non-fossil fuel energy. China possesses a great deal of the necessary technology,” he explained. “Leveraging this technology to aid the global carbon transition is, without a doubt, the most significant role China can play in ensuring the 21st-century economy remains sustainable and prosperous.” –Agencies
