On February 28, the Symposium on Theme and Topics of the 8th Hongqiao International Economic Forum (HQF) was convened by the HQF Secretariat and the HQF Research Center in Beijing. Tang Wenhong, Assistant Minister of Commerce of China, attended and delivered opening remarks.

The Symposium on Theme and Topics of the 8th Hongqiao International Economic Forum (HQF) was convened in Beijing on February 28.

In his remarks, Tang Wenhong emphasized that globalization remains an irreversible trend, with openness and cooperation serving as the cornerstone. The HQF, held in tandem with the CIIE, brings together distinguished guests from government, business, academia, and media to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and exchanges. He noted that high-quality themes and topics are crucial to the success of the forum, and encouraged all participants to actively contribute their ideas and suggestions to enhance the international influence of the HQF.

Attendees addressed the forum from five key perspectives: exploring global openness trends and forging openness consensus, strengthening global governance collaboration and addressing global changes, unleashing innovation and catalyzing new quality productive forces, tackling shared challenges and advancing sustainable green development, exchanging openness practices and sharing China’s development opportunities. They recommended that the theme and topics of the 8th HQF align closely with current global economic dynamics, further elevate its international stature, and enhance its role as an international public good to advance global openness and improve economic governance. Specific discussions should focus on critical areas such as multilateral trade governance, digital empowerment, green development, new quality productive forces, institutional openness, Global South cooperation, and inclusive development, thereby establishing a high-level dialogue platform with greater global influence.

Distinguished attendees offering suggestions and proposals on the theme and topics of the 8th HQF included: Yi Xiaozhun, Former Vice Minister of Commerce of China and Former Deputy Director-General of the WTO; Jiang Xiaojuan, Professor at University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) and Former Deputy Secretary-General of the State Council of China; Wang Yiming, Vice Chairman of China Center for International Economic Exchanges; Einar Tangen, Current Affairs Commentator and Senior Fellow of Taihe Institute; Zhang Yuyan, Academician of the CASS and Dean of School of International Politics and Economics, University of CASS; Xu Xiaofeng, President of the China Meteorological Service Association and former Deputy Director of China Meteorological Administration; Wang Honggang, Vice President of China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations; Adam Dunnett, Secretary General of EU Chamber of Commerce in China; Wang Huiyao, Founder and President of the Center for China and Globalization (CCG); Wang Wen, Executive Dean of Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies of Renmin University; Ding Weishun, Deputy Director-General of the Policy Research Department of the Ministry of Commerce; Bian Guangqi, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Energy Conservation, Science & Technology, and Equipment of National Energy Administration; Zhang Xinyuan, Deputy General Manager of Bank of China Shanghai Branch.

Around 90 participants attended the symposium. They are from UNFPA, government bodies including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Commerce, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, the State Administration for Market Regulation, the National Energy Administration, the National Medical Products Administration, and the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, and HQF member enterprises, think-tank and media partners.