Premier Li highlights China's strong development momentum at forum

Chinese Premier Li Qiang stressed China's strong driving force for development in a keynote speech at the China Development Forum 2025 in Beijing on Sunday.

Noting that China has huge potential for domestic economic circulation, innovation and creativity and economic transformation, Li also reiterated China's commitment to openness and global collaboration.

Delivering the opening address at the China Development Forum 2025 (CDF), Li pledged to roll out more measures to help foreign-funded enterprises integrate into the Chinese market.

Speaking at the forum, attended by more than 80 top executives from leading foreign multinationals, Li expressed China's warm welcome for investments from businesses of all countries, saying foreign-funded enterprises are indispensable participants and contributors to China's development.

The Chinese premier called on global executives to seize opportunities in China's supersized consumption market, renewed momentum in innovation, and booming green economy.

Li urged international businesses to resist protectionism, voicing the hope that entrepreneurs will play a unique role and take more active action in maintaining economic globalization.

China announced its economic growth rate target of around five percent for 2025 during the "two sessions", the annual meetings of China's National People's Congress (NPC), and the top political advisory body, the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

Li said the target was set based on China's economic fundamentals and Beijing's firm confidence in its capabilities and potential for future development.

The China Development Forum 2025 is being held on March 23 and 24 under the theme "Unleashing Development Momentum for Stable Growth of Global Economy."

This year's CDF features 12 symposiums and several closed-door sessions, covering topics such as healthcare, consumption, AI and sustainable supply chains.

Premier Li highlights China's strong development momentum at forum

Premier Li highlights China's strong development momentum at forum

Premier Li highlights China's strong development momentum at forum

Premier Li highlights China's strong development momentum at forum

Premier Li highlights China's strong development momentum at forum

Japan's core consumer price index (CPI) rose to 112.1 in March, marking the 55th straight month of increase year on year, according to data released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications on Friday.

Comparing with March 2025, the country's core CPI climbed 1.8 percent, surpassing February's 1.6 percent rise.

On a monthly basis, the index increased 0.5 percent in March, reversing a 0.3 percent decline recorded in February.

Rising food prices remained the primary driver of inflation, with coffee bean prices surging 54 percent year on year and ordinary rice prices climbing 6.4 percent.

Mobile phone communication fees jumped 11.1 percent, while hotel accommodation costs rose 5 percent.

Electricity bills fell 8 percent in March, thanks to government price subsidies.

As prices continue to climb, a growing number of Japanese consumers expect the inflationary trend to persist.

A recent Bank of Japan survey showed that consumers expect prices to be 10.3 percent higher on average in five years - the highest level since the survey began in 2006.

Japan's core CPI up for 55th consecutive month