The Theme and Topics Release and Interpretation session for the 8th Hongqiao International Economic Forum (HQF) was successfully held on July 25th, marking the imminent arrival of the 100-day countdown to the opening of the 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE) and the HQF. The event was hosted by the HQF Secretariat, organized by the HQF Research Center, supported by Bank of China, and live-streamed by CMG Mobile.

The speech and release session

Wu Zhengping, Executive Director-general of the CIIE Bureau attended the session and delivered a speech. Dorothy Tembo, Deputy Executive Director of the International Trade Centre (ITC), delivered a video address. Cui Weijie, Head of the HQF Research Center and Vice President of the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation (CAITEC) under the Ministry of Commerce, released the theme and the topics of the parallel sessions and other activities for the 8th HQF. 

The theme of the 8th HQF is “Opening Up for New Opportunities, Collaborating for a Shared Future”. 

The 8th HQF will include a Main Forum (CIIE and HQF Opening Ceremony) and a number of parallel sessions under “1+4” sections, namely a Press Conference on releasing The World Openness Report 2025 & International Symposium on World Opening-up (releasing the latest World Openness Index) and parallel sessions and other activities under Opening-up for Cooperation, Opening-up for Innovation, Opening-up for Development and Opening-up for Sharing.

Opening-up for Cooperation will further focus on “Reinvigorating Multilateral Cooperation.” Topics include WTO reform, the 10th Anniversary of China-Australia Free Trade Agreement, seminar on the World Trade Report 2025 and launch of its Chinese edition, open trade and security-based development, protecting IPR, resilient global industrial and supply chains through cooperation among enterprises, finance facilitating industrial and supply chain cooperation, and deepening Global South cooperation. 

Opening-up for Innovation will further focus on “Digital Intelligence Empowerment.” Topics include development of artificial intelligence, humanoid robotics innovation, technological innovation and youth, AI-driven digital economy innovation, intelligent manufacturing empowering Chinese modernization, and international cooperation in AI standards for empowering industrial upgrades. 

Opening-up for Development will further focus on “Green and Sustainable Development.” Topics include green trade, new energy storage, FTZ driving industrial innovation, compliance-driven collaborative growth in global manufacturing, and agricultural trade. 

Opening-up for Sharing will further focus on “A More Open and Inclusive China.” Topics include revitalising consumption, the silver economy, drug safety governance and China's drug regulatory innovation, Pudong's opening-up, Hongqiao HUB, foreign enterprise roundtables, closed-door roundtable for US businesses in China, and "Invest in China" - special promotion for Pilot Free Trade Zones.

Renowned domestic and international scholars and executives from HQF member companies provided forward-looking interpretations of the 8th HQF's theme and topics. The interpretation session was moderated by Zhou Yun from China Media Group. Participants included Victor Gao, Esq., Vice President of CCG, Chair Professor of Soochow University, Guest Professor of Shenzhen University; Qu Jian, Vice President of the China Development Institute (CDI) and President of CDI Qianhai Headquarters; Andy Boreham, Columnist and Video Director; Song Huasheng, Professor at School of Economics and Executive Director of Institute of International Economics, Zhejiang University; and Li Xiaowei, Deputy General Manager of the Global Transaction Banking Department of Bank of China (a Diamond Member of the HQF and the supporter of this event).

The interpretation session

Victor Gao, Esq. stated that against the backdrop of this year's global economic and trade landscape, the HQF's call for open cooperation carries profound practical significance in advancing international economic governance. The theme of the 8th HQF precisely responds to the demands of our times, demonstrating China’s resolute stance in upholding free trade and multilateralism while pursuing common well-being for the global community. Opening-up for Cooperation further focuses on “Reinvigorating Multilateral Cooperation.”, which represents a powerful call for the international order to rekindle its founding spirit of multilateral cooperation.

Qu Jian noted that global economic and trade development once again stands at a critical crossroads, facing new challenges in international cooperation. Open cooperation is even more instrumental in helping stakeholders seek consensus and jointly combat uncertain risks. Amid the current rise of anti-globalization headwinds where "security primacy" displaces "efficiency primacy" paradigms, the foundational principles of classical trade theory have been subverted. This necessitates an urgent imperative to reconstruct the intellectual bedrock through open cooperation. Consequently, the 8th HQF will constitute a strategically positioned global dialogue, enabling stakeholders to collectively address these anti-globalization currents and forge fresh pathways forward.

Song Huasheng emphasized that under the impact of complicated forces, security concerns in the economic and trade sphere have become particularly acute. The 8th HQF’s focus on revitalizing multilateral cooperation and trade security endows it with a unique historical mission. The international economic and trade landscape has witnessed an overexpansion of security-related concepts, manifesting in resurgent trade protectionism and the weaponization of rules. To break this impasse, a recalibration of security perspectives—coupled with optimized international standards policies and strengthened South-South cooperation—is imperative to achieve equilibrium between security imperatives and developmental needs.

Andy Boreham highlighted the consecutive 7-year hosting of CIIE and the HQF stands as concrete proof of China’s unwavering commitment to broadening openness. This sustained initiative authentically showcases the nation’s dedication to global engagement. China is continuously elevating its level of openness by engaging in significant cooperative projects like the Belt and Road Initiative. These initiatives promote regional interconnectivity and people-to-people exchanges, and contribute to the construction of a shared future for mankind. Such efforts provide robust impetus to global multilateral cooperation.

Li Xiaowei pointed out that amid today’s economic landscape—characterized by undercurrents of unilateralism and protectionism, intertwined with multiple risks—revitalizing multilateral cooperation plays a crucial role in enhancing industrial and supply chain resilience and promoting stable global economic growth. The global industrial and supply chains are undergoing a profound reshaping, where emerging markets demonstrate heightened potential in enhancing resilience and diversification. Within this transformation, finance must serve as a catalytic enabler—supporting enterprises to more effectively integrate into global trade, thereby securing enhanced access to development opportunities.

The event was attended by Song Shangzhe from CIIE Bureau and HQF Secretariat, along with nearly 100 representatives from the HQF parallel sessions co-hosts and co-organizers, HQF member companies, think tank and media partners, as well as CIIE exhibitors, buyers, and journalists.