In an evolving global environment, the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) recent updates have examined digital transformation trends that are reshaping economies worldwide.
The 16th Annual Meeting of the New Champions (AMNC) 2025, held in Tianjin, China, from June 24-26, and related discussions in Europe highlight the critical roles of digital technology, ongoing innovation, entrepreneurship, and international cooperation in navigating today’s complex geo-economic challenges.
These sessions, themed “Entrepreneurship for a New Era” and focused on resilience, highlight how nations like China and European countries are adapting to technological advancements, shifting consumption patterns, and rising geopolitical tensions to drive sustainable growth.
At AMNC 2025, Chinese Premier Li Qiang delivered a keynote address emphasizing China’s commitment to openness, innovation, and shared prosperity.
He highlighted China’s dual role as a manufacturing powerhouse and a burgeoning consumption market, noting that the country’s economic strategy is pivoting toward boosting domestic demand to achieve high-quality development.
Li stated the following, underscoring China’s open-source approach to innovation:
“In China today, high-speed railways traverse numerous mountains and rivers, electric vehicles are serving millions of households, and artificial intelligence is empowering thousands of industries.”
This shift is critical as China met its 5% GDP growth target in 2024 and is on track for similar performance in 2025, contributing roughly 30% to global growth in recent years.
The focus on domestic consumption, paired with advancements in AI and electric vehicles, is reshaping trade patterns and positioning China as a leader in next-generation industries.
Professionals at the meeting, including Keyu Jin from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, emphasized that boosting domestic consumption and employment will foster more harmonious global trade relations, despite perceptions of economic decoupling.
The AMNC convened over 1,700 leaders from 90 countries, fostering dialogue on five key pillars: global economic trends, China’s economic outlook, industry disruption, sustainability, and new energy solutions.
Discussions emphasized China’s technological momentum, particularly in AI, driven by robust R&D, mass production capacity, and integrated supply chains.
Initiatives like the Global Lighthouse Network China edition and the First Movers Coalition were introduced to deepen China’s role in global industrial innovation.
Industry professionals also addressed challenges such as AI governance, talent scarcity, and supply chain resilience, advocating for collaboration over competition.
Børge Brende, WEF President, noted:
“The challenges we face… cannot be addressed in silos. They require us to move beyond competition to co-creation.”
This sentiment echoed throughout the meeting, with Tianjin’s Mayor Zhang Gong inviting global partners to foster innovation in the city, reinforcing its role as a hub for high-quality economic development.
In addition to these developments, European leaders are uniting to drive growth and innovation, as highlighted in a key WEF update.
Facing a new era of “harsh geostrategic competition,” Europe is adapting through increased competitiveness, stronger global partnerships, and a commitment to sustainable development.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, emphasized the need to “shift gears” to sustain growth, while Switzerland’s President Karin Keller-Sutter pinpointed open markets and fiscal discipline as cornerstones of prosperity.
The WEF’s January 2025 Annual Meeting in Davos further amplified these themes, with leaders like China’s Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang warning against protectionism and advocating for equitable technological advancements.
The launch of reports like Europe in the Intelligent Age and the Global Data Partnership Against Forced Labour reflects Europe’s focus on resilience and ethical innovation.
Both regions face a global economy projected to grow at a modest 2.8% in 2025, below historical averages, amid shifting trade patterns and technological disruptions.
China’s pivot to a consumption-driven model and Europe’s emphasis on strategic interdependence highlight a shared recognition: entrepreneurship and innovation are vital for unlocking new growth pathways.
As geopolitical tensions rise, the WEF’s call for “more bridges” through dialogue and collaboration remains a critical strategy for building a resilient, inclusive digital economy.