Global business leaders are gearing up to expand their presence in the Chinese mainland as they prepare for the upcoming China Development Forum (CDF) 2025 in Beijing. The forum, scheduled for March 23-24, serves as a key platform for dialogue between the Chinese government and international businesses.
Investment Plans Announced
“I’ve arrived early for CDF this time,” said Merlin Swire, CEO of John Swire & Sons, during a meeting with Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao ahead of the forum’s opening. Swire announced plans to increase investment in China’s real estate, aviation, and healthcare sectors.
Forum Highlights
Under the theme “Unleashing Development Momentum for Stable Global Growth,” CDF 2025 will feature 12 symposiums and several closed-door sessions, covering topics like healthcare, consumption, artificial intelligence, and sustainable supply chains.
International Participation
Industry giants such as Schneider Electric, TotalEnergies, and Swiss Re will participate in the forum, which follows China’s Two Sessions—a major political event that shapes the country’s policy direction amid a complex global landscape.
Voices from Business Leaders
Jean-Pascal Tricoire, chairman of Schneider Electric, has been attending the forum since 2012. “Happy 25th Anniversary!” Tricoire wrote in a letter published on CDF’s official WeChat account. He praised the forum’s forward-looking approach to China’s development, economic transformation, digitization, and sustainability.
Reflecting on the past 25 years, Tricoire described it as a “remarkable period” of economic growth for both China and Schneider Electric. “As we look to the future, I’m excited about the forum’s continued role as a platform for dialogue and collaboration,” he added. “Together, we can address pressing global challenges such as climate change, technological innovation, AI, and economic resilience.”
Swiss Re Group CEO Andreas Berger expressed similar enthusiasm. Attending CDF for the first time during its 25th anniversary, Berger emphasized China’s strategic importance to Swiss Re. “China is one of the most dynamic economies in the world,” he said in a letter published on CDF’s WeChat account. “At this year’s CDF, I look forward to exchanging ideas and inspiring one another.”
Engaging with Chinese Policymakers
Beyond sharing ideas, business leaders value the opportunity to engage directly with Chinese policymakers at the forum. “The opportunity to engage directly with leaders and policymakers at the forum is invaluable for multinational corporations,” said Tricoire.
During his meeting with Swire, Commerce Minister Wang Wentao highlighted China’s vast consumer market potential. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to high-level opening-up, improving the business environment, and expanding market access in sectors like telecommunications, healthcare, and education. “This will create greater market opportunities for foreign enterprises, including Swire Group,” Wang said.
