Global CEOs eye opportunities arising from China's high-quality development

Global CEOs and business leaders attending the China Development Forum, which opened Sunday in Beijing, are eying vast opportunities for cooperation with China in innovation, services and other growth sectors.

Themed "China in its 15th Five-Year Plan period: advancing high-quality development and creating new opportunities together", the two-day forum highlights China's role as a key engine of global development as it begins its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030).

In a keynote speech delivered at the opening ceremony of the forum, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said the outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan is not only a new blueprint for China's development, but also a new opportunity for the world's development.

At the "two sessions" earlier this month, where the 15th Five-Year Plan was officially approved, Chinese policymakers highlighted four major areas of opportunity for foreign investors: super-large consumer market, the expanding services sector, the innovation ecosystem and new pacesetters of opening up.

Global executives echoed those priorities, including Tim Cook, CEO of Apple and co-chair of the forum, who pointed to China's developer community as a powerful engine of innovation.

"China's excellently talented developer community is pushing the limits of innovation every day. And we're inspired by the many ways Chinese developers are using technology to build tools that help people learn valuable skills, manage their health, and bring new ideas to life. Together they represent a powerful engine of growth, and they're an example of the new quality productive forces helping to increase prosperity and opportunity across the country," he said.

Other global executives at the forum voiced their willingness to deepen cooperation with Chinese partners, pointing to opportunities in advanced manufacturing, healthcare and consumer services.

"You have a lot of good technology partners here that we're working together with to make our vehicles even more intelligent in the field of automated driving and smart cockpit," said Ola Kallenius, CEO of auto giant Mercedes-Benz.

"We have an opportunity to do so much more for the 180 million people in China who right now live with obesity," said Emil Kongshoj Larsen, vice president of international operations of Novo Nordisk, a leading global healthcare company.

Global CEOs eye opportunities arising from China's high-quality development

Airstrikes and explosions continued on Sunday, the 23rd day of the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict, as Iran has warned of broader retaliation if U.S. targets its power facilities.

Explosions were heard in eastern and western Tehran on Sunday night, according to a China Media Group reporter. Footage from the reporter showed that Tehran's air defense system was continuously activating to intercept incoming projectiles.

The reporter also said that the sound of the air defense system in operation was heard in northeastern Tehran on Sunday afternoon.

On Sunday, Iran's primary military command, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, issued a statement warning that power plants in countries hosting U.S. bases would be considered legitimate targets if the United States attacks Iran's power facilities.

The statement came in response to remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump threatening to target Iran's power infrastructure, according to Iranian state media Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting.

Trump threatened on Saturday to "hit and obliterate" Iranian power plants if the country fails to fully open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours.

The Strait of Hormuz has not been fully closed and remains under Iran's "smart control," with non-harmful transit continuing under specific regulations to ensure national security and interests, the statement from Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said.

If U.S. threats are carried out, Iran would immediately adopt several punitive measures, including the full closure of the Strait of Hormuz until damaged Iranian facilities are rebuilt, it said.

Other measures would include large-scale strikes on Israel's power, energy and communications infrastructure, attacks on regional companies with U.S. capital ties, and targeting power facilities in countries hosting U.S. military bases, the statement said, adding that Iran would take "all necessary measures" to defend its national interests.

On Sunday, Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said the Strait of Hormuz is open to all "except those who violate Iran's territory."

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Sunday that the Israeli military struck Iranian weapons production and storage facilities.

Iran warns of broader retaliation if U.S. targets its power facilities