China Development Forum 2025 opens in Beijing with record int'l participation

This year's two-day China Development Forum kicked off at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on Sunday, attracting over 100 foreign guests to delve into topics that include macroeconomic policy, reforms and boosting consumption.

The number of multinational companies attending the forum for the first time reached a new high.

Themed "Unleashing Development Momentum for Stable Growth of Global Economy", the forum features 12 symposiums and several closed-door sessions.

The participants will explore key issues including the development of new quality productive forces, AI innovations, green development, and new trends in economic globalization.

Addressing the forum, Han Wenxiu, executive deputy director of the Office of the Central Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs, said China welcomes foreign investors to share the dividends of China's development.

"In recent years, we have turned pressure into motivation, achieving positive progress in promoting technological self-reliance and advancement. We will continue to focus on technology-driven and innovation-driven development, and take measures tailed to local conditions to develop new quality productive forces. We are committed to actively advancing emerging industries, fostering future industries, and using digital, green, and AI technologies to transform and upgrade traditional sectors. Recently, we've seen many international investors showing confidence in China's economy and assets. We sincerely welcome international capital to return to China, boost investments, and share the dividends of China's development," said Han.

The forum has gathered 86 official delegates of multinational companies from 21 countries.

The China Development Forum, sponsored by the Development Research Center of the State Council and organized by the China Development Research Foundation, has become a key platform for dialog and cooperation between China and the rest of the world since its inception in 2000.

China Development Forum 2025 opens in Beijing with record int'l participation

China Development Forum 2025 opens in Beijing with record int'l participation

China Development Forum 2025 opens in Beijing with record int'l participation

China Development Forum 2025 opens in Beijing with record int'l participation

Commercial activities in the southern Iran port city of Bandar Abbas, which sits on the crucial shipping waterway of the Strait of Hormuz, have largely come to a standstill following several days of intense strikes.

Video footage from the city on Wednesday showed mostly deserted streets, as various businesses, including seafood markets and shopping centers, have suspended operations.

Despite the widespread disruption, essential services have continued to function in Bandar Abbas, with chain supermarkets and fruit and vegetable markets remaining open, providing supplies of basic necessities to residents.

The city holds a significant strategic coastal location on the narrow passageway of the Strait of Hormuz, which has drawn global attention after Iran warned it could disrupt transit through this vital waterway in retaliation for U.S.-Israeli strikes.

The developments have sent shockwaves through international markets, particularly as around 20 percent of global oil shipments pass through this critical strait.

Iran said on Wednesday that over 1,000 people have now been killed in the country since U.S.-Israeli strikes began on Saturday.

In a statement published on its official website, Iran's Foundation of Martyrs and Veteran Affairs described the strikes as "aggressive and brutal."

Joint U.S.-Israeli attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities starting Saturday morning have resulted in the deaths of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, his family members, top military commanders, and civilians. Iran has since responded with multiple waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and U.S. assets across the region.

Key Iranian port city on Strait of Hormuz comes to standstill with commercial areas closed