China Premier calls tech exports a global opportunity

Chinese Premier Li Qiang defended his country's technological advancements and growing exports as a global opportunity rather than a threat during a keynote address on Wednesday at the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Dalian, China. He pushed back against international concerns over trade imbalances and state subsidies, framing China's economic rise as a new phase of shared benefits.

Li directly addressed what some international observers have termed "China Shock 2.0," a reference to fears that a surge of Chinese exports in high-tech sectors could disrupt global markets and displace jobs. He argued this phenomenon should instead be seen as "China Opportunity 2.0," providing the world with broader access to advanced technologies and affordable products. He stated that China's emerging technologies in areas like electric vehicles, solar panels, and artificial intelligence are bringing opportunities and empowerment, not shocks or threats.

The premier's remarks come amid heightened global scrutiny of China's record trade surplus, which reached $1.2 trillion last year. Policymakers in the United States and European Union have raised concerns about unfair...