China has achieved staggering development over the past three decades, with tremendous changes seen throughout the country and people's livelihood greatly improved, World Economic Forum (WEF) President Borge Brende said in an exclusive interview with China Media Group in Geneva, Switzerland.
Speaking ahead of WEF's 2026 annual meeting in the Swiss Alpine town of Davos, the WEF chief commended China's Belt and Road Initiative for its role in helping developing countries build their infrastructure, which is critical to economic growth.
"It has been a very consequential initiative. It has also enhanced infrastructure investments in many developing countries. That is again a prerequisite for growth. If you look at what it takes to grow out of poverty and become competitive as an economy, a good infrastructure is very important," Brende said.
Having visited China numerous times since the 1980s, Brende has witnessed enormous changes in the country. He described China's progress, particularly in transportation, green transition, education, and industrial applications of new technologies, as incredible achievements.
"I've been privileged to not only visit Beijing and Shanghai and Tianjin, but I've also been in more other places -- Guizhou, I've been in Tibet (Xizang Autonomous Region). And the changes there are also incredible. So, compared to the first time I visited China, where there were only almost bicycles in the roads, then there maybe became too many cars and I know at least the cars are more electrical vehicles so they don't pollute. So that's very good for the air pollution, but to see amount of education, opportunities for the young generations in China is like moving from -- at least many places in China -- moving from being a developing country to a very, very industrialized country is incredible. Overall -- you have to look at the overall result and not only the challenges -- the overall result is that Chinese people are much better off economically now like it's a staggering difference in 30 years," Brende said.
The 2026 annual WEF meeting was held from Jan 19 to 23 in Davos. The five-day event drew nearly 3,000 leaders and experts worldwide to discuss five pressing global challenges, including enhancing cooperation, unlocking new sources of growth and deploying innovation at scale and with responsibly.
WEF president hails China's "staggering" changes over past decades
WEF president hails China's "staggering" changes over past decades
WEF president hails China's "staggering" changes over past decades
