In a significant demonstration of China’s commitment to global engagement, Premier Li Qiang convened with international experts at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People on February 13, 2026. The symposium brought together recipients of the 2025 Chinese Government Friendship Award and distinguished foreign professionals working across China’s various sectors.
Premier Li emphasized that maintaining open international cooperation represents both global aspirations and the necessary direction for worldwide progress. The meeting, strategically scheduled ahead of the Chinese New Year celebrations, served as a platform for meaningful dialogue between China’s leadership and the international expert community.
Experts from multiple nations including the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Uganda, Bulgaria, Belarus, and Germany contributed insights across critical domains such as technological innovation, agricultural development, cultural exchange, talent cultivation, and investment cooperation. Premier Li actively engaged with their recommendations regarding China’s developmental trajectory and governmental policies.
The Premier highlighted the dual impact of foreign experts’ innovations, noting that achievements developed within China generate substantial benefits for both the host nation and the global community. He referenced the recently adopted recommendations for China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), characterizing them as an ambitious blueprint for the nation’s forthcoming development phase.
Li encouraged international professionals to deepen their involvement in China’s growth story, positioning them as crucial bridges for enhanced mutual understanding and trust between China and the world. The government committed to strengthening support systems for foreign experts, including improved visa processing, social security provisions, healthcare access, and educational arrangements for their children.
The administration pledged to create optimal conditions for international talent to achieve professional fulfillment while experiencing comfortable living standards and promising developmental opportunities within China.