Business leader, BFA official highlight China’s innovation in globalization strategy

British business leader Jack Perry and Boao Forum for Asia official Zafar Uddin Mahmood said China’s push to globalize its high-tech sectors, from AI to quantum, is becoming central to its opening-up strategy, which they believe could reshape global markets and help make innovation more affordable worldwide.

Perry, Chairman of the 48 Group Club in Britain, shared insights during an interview with China Media Group (CMG) ahead of his first attendance at the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2026, set for March 24 to 27 in Boao, south China's Hainan Province.

He said discussions with Chinese AI firms highlight how innovation is reshaping the country’s industrial base and positioning its companies for global reach.

"These great companies have brilliance and that innovation has to globalize. And so we're helping Chinese companies globalize," said Perry.

Perry said China’s pivot from low-end manufacturing to innovation has positioned emerging industries as the new driver of its opening‑up, creating new opportunities for global business.

"China is not focusing on making t-shirts and pens anymore and we talk about those areas of energy, quantum, AI and robotics. If you listen and you look into what those things mean, you'll be able to make business with China. Globalization of Chinese brands and Chinese companies is a focus for China, high level of opening up," said Perry.

Zafar Uddin Mahmood, policy advisor to the BFA Secretary General, said China’s technological advances have made high-tech products more affordable worldwide.

"Because now in the new era, the dependence on AI will increase by every passing day. Because of China's scale, the cost comes down and it becomes affordable for everybody. Its new technology, new products and it is meeting the demands of every country according to their economic capability," he said.

This year's BFA, themed "Shaping a Shared Future: New Dynamics, New Opportunities, New Cooperation," features four core topics and more than 50 sub-forums, roundtables and dialogue sessions. The event carries added significance as 2026 marks the start of China’s 15th Five‑Year Plan, which will guide national development through 2030.

Founded in 2001, the BFA has grown into a key platform for addressing Asian issues and strengthening cooperation both within the region and globally.

Business leader, BFA official highlight China’s innovation in globalization strategy

International purchasers sought to strengthen business ties with Chinese tech companies at a partnership-building event held Friday on the sidelines of the 9th China-Eurasia Expo, which runs from June 25 to 29 in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

The expo has attracted participants from 49 countries, regions and international organizations from Asia, Europe and other continents, with the attendance of over 3,000 Chinese and international enterprises .

More than 100 high-tech companies from various fields, such as intelligent manufacturing, energy and chemical industry, are showcasing their latest products.

Officials said the expo highlights innovation, focusing on emerging sectors such as AI, digital economy, low-altitude economy, and bio-manufacturing.

"[China has] very high-level developed technologies. The possibility of China to make a lot of very good-quality goods in a very short period of time is a very good skill in business," said Mikhail Derevyanko, deputy general director of Russia's Avangard Special Economic Zone (SEZ), said at the partnership-building event.

"We have good future partnership with China's companies, because a lot of technologies from China became very popular," said Kanat Alin, an advisor to the chairman of the management board of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Chinese companies said at the expo that they are receiving increasing orders for their tech products from countries across the world.

"The smart bicycles we are selling have a built-in AI system that can calculate and distribute power output to extend driving range. We receive more orders from Russia, Spain and other European countries. Usually, we ship the bicycles in two containers at a time, with more than 200 units per container," said Xu Huazeng, an exhibitor.

Int'l buyers seek to strengthen ties with Chinese tech companies at 9th China-Eurasia Expo