Xinhua News Agency Economic Essay: Feeling the "Gravity" of China's Development from Multiple Countries' "Looking East" Perspective

In the deep winter chill, Beijing has a unique 'heat'.

On January 28th, British Prime Minister Stamer arrived in Beijing to begin his visit to China, accompanied by over 60 important representatives from the British business and cultural sectors; On January 25th, Finnish Prime Minister Olpo arrived in Beijing for a four-day official visit, leading more than 20 corporate executives to follow up; Previously, Irish Prime Minister Martin and Canadian Prime Minister Carney also visited China successively... Recently, many foreign politicians and companies have come in droves, coincidentally "looking east", which has attracted widespread attention.

Recently, many international organizations have sounded the alarm when assessing the global situation in 2026, indicating that the global economic outlook will face turbulence. Amidst the changing situation, the world's attention is focused on the East, further highlighting China's increasingly strong "gravity" in the global economic landscape.

Gravity "originates from the steady progress of the Chinese economy.

By 2025, China's total economic output will exceed 140 trillion yuan, with a year-on-year GDP growth of 5.0%; During the 14th Five Year Plan period, the average annual growth rate of the Chinese economy was about 5.4%, and its contribution to global economic growth remained stable at around 30%... This report is remarkable.

The Chinese economy has demonstrated strong resilience and remains the largest contributor to global growth, "said Brent, President of the World Economic Forum, echoing the consensus of many international institutions and industry insiders. McKinsey China Chairman Ni Yili lamented that in the face of a complex international environment, the resilience and vitality of the Chinese economy have exceeded everyone's expectations.

Since the end of last year, several international institutions, including the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, have raised their expectations for China's economic growth and cast a "vote of confidence" in China.

The performance of the Chinese economy is very outstanding, "Asif Chima, Chief Representative of the Asian Development Bank in China, said in a recent interview with Xinhua News Agency. The policy measures launched by the Chinese government are continuing to be effective and have great confidence in achieving China's long-term economic growth goals.

Gravity originates from the surging momentum of China's innovative development.

From the lunar back sampling return of Chang'e-6 and the commercial flight of C919 aircraft, to the low altitude economic "flapping wings and soaring high" and embodied intelligence "smart thinking and skillful operation"... Today's China is accelerating from a "world factory" to an "innovation center".

Innovation capability will become China's third core advantage beyond its huge production capacity and super large market, continuously attracting foreign investment to layout in China. China has demonstrated strong research and development capabilities, and what impressed me the most is China's performance in the field of artificial intelligence. These praises from international institutions and experts also indicate that China's economy is full of vitality in innovative development.

In 2025, China will enter the top ten of the global innovation index for the first time, with a research and development investment intensity of 2.8%, surpassing the average level of OECD countries for the first time. Nearly half of the "AI Application Stars" cases released by the World Economic Forum come from China; Nearly 40% of the globally recognized 'lighthouse factories' are located in China.

AstraZeneca's Global Executive Vice President, Si Rui Yin, made a representative observation: "China is not only a crucial strategic market, but has also become a hub for global innovation

Gravity originates from China's firm commitment to openness and win-win outcomes.

Do not build walls, be diligent in paving roads. Against the backdrop of unilateralism, protectionism, and bullying in the world, China has always been a practitioner of open cooperation, injecting certainty into the world through practical actions.

From the expansion of the pilot free trade zone to the construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port, from the China International Import Expo to the China International Fair for Trade in Services, China's door to openness is getting wider and wider. In the past five years, China has imported over 15 trillion US dollars worth of goods and services, and has paid over 300 billion US dollars in taxes to host countries through outbound investment, driving a large number of jobs and promoting local development.

China and the UK have signed multiple economic and trade achievement documents, Chinese and Finnish enterprises have signed multiple commercial agreements in Beijing, and China and Canada have signed the "China Canada Economic and Trade Cooperation Roadmap"... These latest developments demonstrate China's commitment to openness and win-win cooperation, and its commitment to jointly expanding the "cake" of cooperation.

China showcases its image as a reliable trade and investment partner to the world "- foreign media has evaluated China as a" oasis of certainty "in an uncertain international environment.

The "15th Five Year Plan" proposal released by China provides top-level design and strategic planning for the economic and social development in the next five years. Luigi Gambaldera, President of the China Europe Digital Association, believes that China attaches great importance to long-term planning and insists on promoting high-level opening-up, providing a stable reference for global economic cooperation.

Open cooperation and mutual benefit are the aspirations of the people. A China with strong resilience and vitality, a China that firmly embraces economic globalization, is increasingly becoming a common choice for all parties to overcome differences. Working hand in hand through wind and rain, 'Walking with China is walking with opportunities' will be more inspiring and continue to illuminate the future.