On the morning of January 9, 2025, HQF held the 2025 Members and Partners Meeting at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), kick-starting the theme and topic collection for its eighth edition.

The event was co-hosted by the HQF Secretariat and the HQF Research Center, with support from the Bank of China. Wu Zhengping, Executive Director-General of the CIIE Bureau, delivered a speech at the meeting. The HQF Secretariat reported on the work of the 7th HQF and shared proposals for the eighth edition. The HQF Research Center proposed directions and approaches for the theme and parallel session topics of the 8th HQF. Nearly 100 participants, including from HQF member enterprises, think-tank and media partners, as well as CIIE exhibitors and buyers, and officials from the Department of WTO Affairs of the Ministry of Commerce, the Bureau of Law Enforcement and Inspection of the State Administration for Market Regulation, the Department of Science, Technology and International Cooperation of the National Medical Products Administration, and the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, attended the meeting. Representatives offered suggestions on the theme and topic design and on further improving the work of the forum.

The 2025 Hongqiao International Economic Forum (HQF) Members and Partners Meeting was held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) on January 9, 2025.

In his speech, Wu Zhengping noted that the current international situation is characterized by complex and intertwined changes, casting a shadow over global openness. However, China's initiatives for opening-up continue to make a significant impact. The 7th CIIE was successfully held, with 152 countries, regions, and international organizations participating in the national and business exhibitions. $80.01 billion worth of tentative deals has been reached, a 2.0 % increase from the previous edition. At the 7th HQF, 55 officials of vice-ministerial level or above from countries, regions and international organizations, 7 top scholars including Nobel laureates, and multiple well-known figures from the business community, totaling 310 speakers, offered advice for global openness, further consolidating the consensus on openness. The 8th HQF will implement the guiding principles from the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Central Economic Work Conference. It will conduct an in-depth analysis of the global economic situation, leverage the guiding role of the theme and topics, and ensure the solid preparation of all organizational work.

In her speech, Wang Mengying, Deputy General Manager of Bank of China Shanghai Branch, noted that the HQF has created a high-level platform for dialogue and exchange among the international political, business, and academic communities, and has forged a global consensus on building an open world economy and a community with a shared future for mankind. The Bank of China will continue to contribute to expanding the high-level opening-up, provide services to member enterprises and partners, and offer insights into the theme and topics, helping to elevate the 8th HQF to greater heights.

The awarding of trophies and the signing ceremony were followed by a group photo with representatives from member enterprises.

The HQF Secretariat reported on the work of the 7th HQF and shared proposals for the eighth edition. It announced that the global consultation for the eighth edition had begun, and the theme and topic collection had been fully launched. The Secretariat warmly invites member enterprises, think-tank and media partners, CIIE exhibitors and buyers, as well as relevant experts and scholars, to contribute their insights and suggestions.

The HQF Research Center analyzed the current international economic situation and proposed guiding principles for setting the theme and parallel session topics for the 8th HQF. It identified key directions such as new trends in global openness, international economic and trade governance, new quality productivity, high-level openness, consumption, climate change, and green development.

Member Enterprise and Partner Representatives gave speeches.

Member enterprises and partner representatives highlighted that the HQF serves as a platform for mutual empowerment among participants, fostering a collaborative force. This not only advances collective openness and development but also brings benefits to each participant. Furthermore, attendees put forward suggestions on a range of topics, including consumption, finance, artificial intelligence, the Global South, sustainable agriculture, the silver economy, IPR protection, standards cooperation, and climate change, while also expressing their willingness to engage in collaboration.

HQF members and partners conducted an inspection and research visit to Schneider Electric's Shanghai factory.

After the meeting, the representatives visited the Schneider Electric's Shanghai factory, a "lighthouse factory" recognized by the World Economic Forum, for an on-site inspection and research.