“Global Openness” is the core of the Hongqiao International Economic Forum (hereinafter referred to as the Hongqiao Forum). The history of human development reveals that openness brings progress, while self-exclusion leaves one behind. Openness is the path to national prosperity. With the theme of “Stimulation of Global Opening-up Impetus and Sharing of Cooperation Opportunities”, the 5th Hongqiao Forum highlights “Openness” more prominently as parallel sessions are held under three sections: “Opening-up: Responsibilities and Actions,” “Opening-up: Governance Mechanisms” and “Opening-up: Sharing Achievements”.

On the basis of last year’s success, we will continue to organize International Seminar on release of World Openness Report 2022 on which the World Openness Report 2022 and the latest World Openness Index will be launched. We will engage government leaders, heads of international organizations, world-renowned experts and scholars to conduct in-depth discussions to contribute wisdom to promoting global open cooperation and supporting world economic recovery.

The World Openness Report 2022 covers many currently hot-spot issues, such as the new changes in the world’s openness in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the status-quo and prospects of global manufacturing and financial openness, new areas of digitalization, green development and world openness, etc. Presented by China’s leading think tanks, it is currently being developed in an orderly manner and will be released on schedule at the 5th Hongqiao Forum.

Photo: World Openness Report 2021

The World Openness Report and the World Openness Index successfully debuted in 2021. In his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 4th China International Import Expo and Hongqiao Forum, President Xi Jinping pointed out: “Studies show a steady decline of the World Openness Index over the past decade and a weakening of global consensus on opening up, which are causes for great concern.”

At the 4th Hongqiao Forum in 2021, International Seminar on release of World Openness Report 2021 was held. Present at the seminar were Ma Jiantang, Deputy Director of the Economic Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and then Secretary of the Leading Party Group of the Development Research Center of the State Council, Chen Deming, former Minister of Commerce, Jiang Xiaojuan, Vice-chairperson of Social Development Affairs Committee of the National People’s Congress, President of Chinese Public Administration Society and former Deputy Secretary-General of the State Council, Zhang Yuyan, Member of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Director of the Institute of World Economics and Politics and Chief Expert of National Institute for Global Strategy at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Yao Yang, Dean of the National School of Development of Peking University and Director of the China Center for Economic Research, Wang Xinkui, Chairman of Shanghai WTO Affairs Consultation Center, Simon J. Evenett, Professor of International Trade and Economic Development at the University of St. Gallen. The Seminar gained wide attention and achieved remarkable results.