On June 26, 2025, Premier Li Qiang of China addressed the opening ceremony of the 10th Annual Meeting of the AIIB in Beijing. He praised the AIIB’s decade-long journey of growth and innovation, outlined strategic goals for its future, and shared insights on China’s economic resilience and transformation. Highlighting China’s shift from manufacturing to innovation, Li reaffirmed China’s commitment to global cooperation and sustainable development. The event brought together over 2,500 global leaders and was themed “Connecting for Development, Collaborating for Prosperity.”
Here is What China’s Li Qiang Says About the Chinese Economy
On the morning of June 26, 2025, Premier Li Qiang of the State Council of China delivered a keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 10th Annual Meeting of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) Board of Governors in Beijing. This major international event was themed “Connecting for Development, Collaborating for Prosperity” and drew a crowd of approximately 2,500 attendees, including global finance leaders, government officials, and representatives from major institutions and NGOs.
During his address, Premier Li Qiang reflected on the founding vision of the AIIB and highlighted the progress made over the past decade. He recalled that when President Xi Jinping proposed the AIIB, the goal was to establish a new type of professional, efficient, and clean multilateral development bank.
Since its inception, the AIIB has grown from 57 founding members to a strong body of 110, demonstrating its global credibility and practical impact. The bank has helped drive shared development, introduced new ideas into global financial governance, and set a benchmark for international cooperation.
Premier Li outlined three strategic hopes for the AIIB’s future:
First, in light of ongoing global economic challenges, the AIIB should strengthen support for its members’ development efforts. He stressed the need for the bank to provide high-quality, affordable financing tailored to the unique needs of its member countries. The sharing of knowledge and experience, along with efforts to boost internal growth drivers in each nation, should be a top priority.
Second, as the world economy and trade undergo major restructuring, the AIIB should play a more active role in encouraging international dialogue and cooperation. Li Qiang emphasized the importance of open regionalism and enhancing infrastructure and connectivity between Asia and the wider world. He also encouraged synergy between the AIIB and key Chinese initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Global Development Initiative.
Third, in addressing the broader issues of global governance, the AIIB should leverage its identity as a new-generation multilateral platform. According to Li, the institution must stick to principles of inclusive dialogue, collective contribution, and shared benefit. He urged ongoing optimization of the bank’s governance, enhancement of multilateral decision-making mechanisms, and development of new tools and services that foster a more equitable global system.
On the subject of China’s own economy, Premier Li presented an optimistic picture. Despite the uncertainties in the international environment, he asserted that China’s economy has shown resilience and continues on a positive trajectory. The domestic market remains vast and dynamic, offering ongoing opportunities for trade and investment around the world.
He highlighted a significant shift in the nature of China’s industrial output—from “Made in China” to “Innovated in China.” This transition reflects the increasing emphasis on innovation and technology, powered by a rapidly improving business environment. China is also accelerating efforts to open up further to the global market, aiming to integrate more deeply with international economic systems.
Premier Li concluded by reaffirming China’s commitment to supporting the AIIB’s next phase of growth and its efforts to enhance sustainable development and international cooperation. He stressed the importance of building a community with a shared future for mankind, and underscored China’s readiness to partner with other countries in this mission.
The opening ceremony was also attended by Wu Zhenglong, alongside AIIB President Jin Liqun and board governors from AIIB member nations. The event was co-hosted by China’s Ministry of Finance, the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality, and the AIIB itself.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on official statements and publicly shared information regarding the 10th Annual Meeting of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the address by Premier Li Qiang. Interpretations and summaries are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial or political advice.