Hosting the 17th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, Dalian is using the global forum to showcase its economic transformation, innovation ecosystem and growing tourism sector.
The 17th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, widely known as the Summer Davos, is taking place in Dalian, Liaoning Province, from 23 to 25 June. Organised by the World Economic Forum, the event brings together global business leaders, policymakers and industry experts, reinforcing Dalian’s role as one of China’s leading international business and transportation hubs.
Hosting the forum for the ninth time since becoming one of its permanent venues in 2007, alongside Tianjin, Dalian is using the event to highlight progress in industrial upgrading, innovation, green development and tourism. The gathering also underscores the city’s growing importance as a gateway connecting domestic and international markets.
Economic growth backed by foreign investment
The forum has contributed to Dalian’s international profile over the past decade. Between 2015 and 2024, four editions of the event helped attract 50 foreign-funded projects, including investments from companies such as SK Group and Orix.
Government data show that 217 new foreign-invested enterprises were established in Dalian in 2025, with paid-in foreign investment reaching US$2.7 billion, an increase of 43.8% compared with the previous year.
The city’s gross domestic product exceeded one trillion yuan in 2025, representing annual growth of 5.7%. Officials believe this milestone strengthens confidence in the continued revitalisation of Northeast China’s economy.
Advanced manufacturing drives industrial transformation
Dalian continues to modernise its traditional industrial base through smart manufacturing and advanced technologies.
Automated production systems are now widely used at FAW Jiefang Dalian Diesel Engine, where intelligent guided vehicles and industrial robots support engine manufacturing. Meanwhile, the city’s petrochemical sector continues expanding its advanced chemical materials capabilities through its aromatics and olefins industrial chains.
The equipment manufacturing industry is also investing heavily in innovation. Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co is developing energy-efficient technologies and alternative fuels, while CRRC Dalian has expanded exports of locomotives, intercity trains and urban rail vehicles to 33 countries and regions.
Today, Dalian has developed major industrial clusters covering green petrochemicals, next-generation automotive manufacturing, shipbuilding and offshore engineering, as well as advanced bearings, CNC machine tools and rail transit equipment.
Innovation remains central to future development
Research and development investment has increased significantly since Dalian first hosted the Summer Davos forum. Total R&D expenditure rose from 4.28 billion yuan in 2007 to 28.09 billion yuan in 2023, accounting for 3.21% of GDP.
The city is home to two national Belt and Road joint laboratories and ten national key laboratories, supporting research across clean energy, intelligent manufacturing, fine chemicals and rail transit.
More than 10,000 technology-driven enterprises now operate in Dalian, supported by research institutions and the development of Yinggeshi Science City, which is being positioned as an internationally recognised innovation hub.
Green transition gathers pace
Dalian has also accelerated its low-carbon development strategy.
The city has established 71 national-level and 108 provincial-level green factories while participating in more than 70% of China’s international and national hydrogen energy standards. The planned Shenyang-Dalian hydrogen energy expressway has also been incorporated into the national master plan.
By the end of 2025, clean energy accounted for 64% of installed power generation capacity and 75% of total electricity generation across the city.
Tourism reaches new milestones
Beyond industry, Dalian is reporting strong momentum in tourism.
According to the Dalian Bureau of Culture and Tourism, inbound visitor arrivals increased by 70.2% year on year in 2025, reaching a record high.
As Northeast China’s only international cruise home port, Dalian Port has welcomed 143 international cruise calls since 2016, handling nearly 280,000 arriving and departing passengers. Travellers planning to explore the city may also find value in comparing hotel options and airport transfer services as international arrivals continue to grow.
Sport has become another important tourism driver. The Suoyuwan Football Stadium, China’s only international-standard professional football stadium surrounded by the sea on three sides, has become a major attraction with seating for 63,000 spectators.
The city’s sporting calendar also includes the Dalian Marathon, now held 36 times, and the Dalian International Walking Festival, which attracted more than 300,000 participants during its 24th edition. Alongside major sporting events, visitors continue to enjoy seasonal flower displays, family holidays and leisurely urban sightseeing across the coastal destination.
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A platform for long-term development
As the Summer Davos returns to Dalian, the forum once again provides an international stage for the city to demonstrate its progress in advanced manufacturing, innovation, sustainability and tourism. Combined with continued foreign investment and infrastructure development, Dalian is positioning itself as an increasingly important destination for business, technology collaboration and international travel.
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