Nearly 300 Executives Urge Deeper China Innovation Ties at Suzhou Conference

4 articles · Updated · Xinhua · May 21

Nearly 300 executives and representatives from Fortune Global 500 and China Top 500 firms gathered in Suzhou, where business leaders called for stronger innovation engagement with China and closer industrial cooperation.
More than 55% of attendees came from foreign-funded enterprises, with companies including Nike, Hyundai Motor Group, Google, 3M and Airbus highlighting China as a base for smart manufacturing, R&D and localized production.
3M said it will expand local capacity and innovation investment in China, while Airbus said its Suzhou R&D center is supplying technologies in intelligent manufacturing, clean energy and embodied AI for global operations.
China's pitch comes as global FDI remains sluggish, but investment into its higher-tech sectors stays resilient: scientific research and technical services drew nearly one-fifth of national FDI in 2025 after seven straight years of share gains.
The conference was held ahead of the APEC trade ministers' meeting in Suzhou on May 22-23, underscoring China's push to deepen Asia-Pacific business connectivity in the 35th year since it joined APEC.

Can China's high-tech strategy overcome its domestic economic woes and challenge Europe's industrial dominance?

With China's 'Made in China' policy, can foreign firms truly compete or just fuel local innovation?

Is the new wave of foreign investment a sign of confidence or a high-stakes gamble on China's stability?