China remains major contributor to global economic growth: forum participants

China remains a major contributor to global economic growth and a hotbed of technological innovation, according to international participants at the China Development Forum 2025 in Beijing.

Themed "Unleashing Development Momentum for Stable Growth of Global Economy", the two-day forum, which brought together 86 official delegates from multinational companies from 21 countries, concluded on Monday in Beijing.

"China to open up, this is creating a much more attractive opportunity. We continue to invest in China and believe China will continue to be major contributor to the overall global growth," said Georges Bahjat Elhedery, CEO of international financial giant HSBC.

"In China, great talent in the population, but also a great market potential. Around the topics green transformation or artificial intelligence or also the new energy vehicles. So these are trends that are playing a fundamental role in China, where you have here in China a leading role in the world. And that's a reason why we have been here since 150 years. And we will stay here for much more years even," said Miguel Angel Lopez Borrego, CEO of German engineering company thyssenkrupp AG.

Speaking on the sidelines of the forum, international participants noted that an increasing number of countries are eager to deepen cooperation with Chinese enterprises, recognizing China's significant advantages in the development of advanced technology.

"It is highly innovative. It's producing the green and digital technology of the future and the rest of the world is seeing this and wants to be part of it. It wants to be part of it both in supply chains, in other words, having production in China. It wants to be part of it in the Chinese market. It wants to be part of it as a trade partner with China," said Jeffrey Sachs, a professor at Columbia University.

"China surprised again with latest technology. We have more than 50 plants in China, now they apply widely robots and AI to improve productivity in our processes. And this is working very well. And I think we are really setting an example for the rest of the world of our production networks," said Holger Klein, Chief Executive Officer of German technology manufacturing company ZF Group.

Highlighting the enduring importance of China for American businesses, Sean Stein, president of the U.S.-China Business Council, emphasized the strong commitment of U.S. companies to deepening ties with China.

"If you look at American business, American business is still deeply committed to working with China. Now they want to be in China for supply chain. They want to be in China for R and D and technological innovation. They want to be in China because so many good ideas are happening here in China. So China is an enormously important place for American companies to be, and that's why you see so many American CEOs here," said Stein.

Heads of multinational enterprises expressed their continued confidence in China's future development, citing favorable policies and the country's vast market potential.

"The equipment renewal and for people to upgrade and change their home equipment, elevators were included in that, which we think is critical. We've seen that picking up in our business. We call it modernization, renewal, refurbishment. That part of our business is probably going to grow the quickest over the next few years," said Judy Marks, CEO of elevator manufacturer Otis Worldwide Corporation.

"But I'm sure in the coming five years, especially with the new plan of five years now coming, it will be extremely important and relevant that we are going to expedite our investment in China," said Mohammad Abunayyan, founder and chairman of the Board of Directors of Saudi Arabia-based power generator ACWA Power.

This year's forum featured 12 symposiums and several closed-door sessions, covering topics such as healthcare, consumption, AI and sustainable supply chains.

China remains major contributor to global economic growth: forum participants

Residents in Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, are demanding that the government take action to combat the escalating gang violence.

The Caribbean country's security situation has deteriorated sharply in recent months, as escalating attacks against civilians are eroding the few areas that remain free from gang influence.

In February alone, the escalating violence in Port-au-Prince has forced nearly 60,000 people to flee their homes.

Currently, over 1 million people are displaced across Haiti -- a figure that has tripled in the past year.

Armed gangs are seizing control of more neighborhoods, raising fears that the capital could fall at any moment.

Half of the country's population is facing acute food shortages, and many displaced people have sought refuge in makeshift shelters, where access to food, water and medical care is severely limited.

Meanwhile, gang violence is intensifying, with kidnappings, extortion and killings plunging the country, especially the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince, deeper into turmoil.

"We have nowhere to go. All of those sleeping at the gas station have nowhere to go. I just have one thing to say to the government: they have to do something for us," said Laurie Evanie Felix, a local vendor.

Inflation is soaring, basic services are collapsing, and food insecurity is worsening.

Amidst this turmoil, the rise in gang violence persists, even with the presence of UN-backed international forces led by Kenya.

As conditions worsen, millions are wondering when they will see any sustainable relief.

"Help! Government of my country! Help! We can't run anymore! Government of my country, do something," said Kettia Sylvain, another vendor.

Desperate Haitians urge gov't to take action amid escalating gang violence

Desperate Haitians urge gov't to take action amid escalating gang violence