Wang Huiyao’s speech@China Global Think Tank Innovation Forum

November 26 , 2025

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On November 20, 2025, the 10th China Global Think Tank Innovation Forum, hosted by the Center for China and Globalization (CCG) and co-organized by the China Association of International Trade (CAIT), was successfully held in Beijing. We were honored to welcome ambassadors, diplomats, scholars, professionals, fellow members of the think tank community, as well as the distinguished young leaders participating in the Global Young Leaders Dialogue (GYLD) Annual Forum.

This year marks the tenth anniversary of the China Global Think Tank Innovation Forum—an important milestone underscoring the vital role of dialogue and exchange in an era of rapid and profound global transformation.

Henry Huiyao Wang, Founder and President of CCG and former Counselor to the State Council, delivered the opening remarks.

The complete text of the speech is provided below:

Honorable Minister Chen, President Jin, Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning. It is a great pleasure to welcome you to the 10th Annual China Global Think Tank Innovation Forum. On behalf of the Center for China and Globalization (CCG), I would like to extend our warmest welcome and heartfelt appreciation to all guests from China and around the world.

The world is entering a new era marked by profound uncertainty. The global governance system is undergoing major adjustments, and long-held consensus underpinning the international order is being disrupted. As we mark the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, the need to rethink and adapt global governance has become even more pronounced. Geopolitical tensions, supply chain decoupling, rapid technological shifts such as artificial intelligence, and the accelerating impact of climate change are pushing humanity toward a new historical crossroads.

Global governance has never been a zero-sum game; it is about sharing responsibilities and advancing development together. The world needs cooperation among major powers—and it also needs more voices from a broader range of countries. How to build a more fair, inclusive, and effective global governance system has therefore become a defining question of our time. As President Xi Jinping emphasized in the “Global Governance Initiative”, the principles of sovereign equality, rule of law, multilateralism, people-centered development, and action-oriented cooperation offer important guidance for understanding China’s role in upholding global governance architecture.

In such a context, constructive dialogue has never been more essential.The recent presidential meeting between China and the United States in Busan sent an important and positive signal, injecting new momentum into stabilizing bilateral relations. Over the past year, communication between the two sides has gradually resumed across multiple levels—from diplomatic and economic exchanges to people-to-people interactions—reflecting a shared recognition that cooperation is far better than confrontation.We sincerely hope that both countries—two major global players—will continue to move toward greater stability and predictability, which is vital not only for our two peoples but also for the world at large.

Meanwhile, China-EU relations are entering a new stage. This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union. With centuries of shared cultural heritage and long-standing exchanges, China and Europe have deep foundations for cooperation. Both sides have every reason to deepen engagement in trade, investment, and other areas,jointly uphold multilateralism, free trade, and climate cooperation, and bring greater stability and predictability to a world facing intertwined crises.

At the same time, the rise of the Global South is reshaping global dynamics. From BRICS cooperation to the growing influence of ASEAN, the African Union, Latin America and other developing regions, emerging economies are playing a more active and constructive role in global affairs. As a member of the Global South, China shares many of the same development aspirations and governance priorities with other emerging economies. We see significant opportunities for China and its partners across the Global Southto expand collaboration in trade, green development, science and technology, education, and digital capabilities, thereby fostering a more balanced and inclusive international order.

As China advances its role in maintaining global governance and international cooperation, its own development continues to generate broader global benefits. A key strength of China’s development model lies in long-term planning, where each Five-Year Plan builds upon the last. The recent 15th Five-Year Plan sets out a new blueprint for modernization, prioritizing new quality productive forces, green and low-carbon transition, and future-oriented industries. Over successive planning cycles, China has made steady progress, and the next five years are set to chart new directions for China’s development while expanding opportunities for global cooperation in energy transition, innovation, and sustainable development.

No country can address today’s challenges alone.We believe that globalization remains essential for development and for addressing shared global problems. The next phase of globalization must be more inclusive, more sustainable, and more effective. To achieve this, all stakeholders must deepen dialogue and enhance cooperation.

Against this backdrop, CCG has significantly expanded its international engagement over the past year. We carried out 15 overseas missions to 34 cities across 22 countries—setting a new record for international outreach among Chinese think tanks. We hosted major forums, high-level luncheons, and numerous think-tank dialogues, and received more than 50 delegations from governments and key institutions worldwide. We also released research reports, submitted policy recommendations, and published studies related to globalization—contributing practical insights for policymakers in China and abroad.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the China Global Think Tank Innovation Forum. When we launched this platform a decade ago, we had a simple aspiration: to create a space for dialogue that transcends borders, cultures, and disciplines. Today, we are encouraged to see this forum grow into one of China’s most open and internationally recognized think-tank events. This year, it brings together more than 200 guests from 50 countries, including representatives from nearly 70 think tanks and nearly 30 young leaders from the Global Young Leaders Dialogue (GYLD) program.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We stand at a critical juncture in global governance. The challenges before us are indeed unprecedented—but the opportunities are equally significant. The mission of think tanks is not only to provide answers, but to help the world ask better questions. I look forward to the discussions today and to exploring new ideas, new partnerships, and new possibilities for the future of China and the world.

Thank you.

Note: The above text is the output of transcribing from an audio recording. It is posted as a reference for the discussion.