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

Russia and the United States have agreed to ensure the implementation of the Black Sea Initiative, provided that sanctions were eased on Russia's agricultural and food trade, the Kremlin said Tuesday.

The Kremlin said the agreement includes ensuring the safety of navigation in the Black Sea, the non-use of force, and preventing commercial ships from being used for military purposes, with inspections in place to enforce this.

It also added that the United States will help in restoring Russia's access to global markets for agricultural and fertilizer exports, lowering shipping insurance costs, and improving access to ports and international payment systems.

The agreement will enter into force after a series of sanctions and restrictions related to its agricultural and food trade were lifted, the Kremlin noted.

The move would include lifting Western sanctions on the Russian Agricultural Bank, which services agricultural businesses, and reconnecting the bank to the SWIFT international messaging system.

Russia has also listed in the conditions the removal of restrictions on its food and fertilizer producers and exporters, on the servicing of related Russian-flagged vessels in ports, and on the related agricultural machinery supplies to Russia.

The Kremlin statement came after Russian and U.S. representatives wrapped up their Monday's talks in Riyadh, capital of Saudi Arabia, where both sides sought arrangements for the safety of navigation in the Black Sea.

Russia and Ukraine signed separately with Türkiye and the United Nations the Black Sea Grain Initiative in Istanbul in July 2022, which secured the export of Ukrainian grain and other agricultural products from Black Sea ports.

As a parallel agreement, Russia and the UN signed a memorandum of understanding on the facilitation of Russian food and fertilizer exports.

On July 17, 2023, Russia suspended its participation in the Black Sea deal, citing unfulfilled commitments to the Russian part.

Kremlin says Russia, U.S. agree to ensure implementing Black Sea initiative