Envoys highlight opportunities from China's opening-up

China's continued opening-up is creating wider room for other economies to share in its growth, foreign diplomats said on Tuesday, highlighting the expanding opportunities generated by China's market, investment, and connectivity with the world.

The remarks were made at the 2026 Beijing CBD Forum Annual Conference, themed "Advancing Higher-level Opening-up and Sharing New Opportunities For Development". Launched in 2000, the Beijing CBD Forum marked its 27th edition this year.

Fazeel Najeeb, Maldivian ambassador to China, said China's growth should not be seen as a zero-sum process, as its vast consumer market, industrial supply chains, infrastructure cooperation, investment, and technology are bringing tangible benefits to foreign companies and other countries.

China is not merely a participant in global trade, but a co-developer of global growth, he said, adding that the Belt and Road Initiative has helped promote infrastructure development and trade connectivity across Asia, Europe, and Africa.

For the Maldives, Najeeb said that the bilateral free trade agreement that took effect in 2025 marked a major milestone. As the country's first bilateral free trade agreement, it has opened new space for trade diversification, reduced barriers, and created a more predictable business environment for companies from both sides.

Looking ahead, he said the Maldives hopes to better align its development plans with high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, with greater focus on green development, digital connectivity, and inclusive growth.

Sashko Nasev, ambassador of North Macedonia to China, said his country welcomes Chinese investment and hopes to see stronger two-way business engagement.

China is North Macedonia's fourth-largest trading partner, he said, adding that cooperation has expanded through the China-Central and Eastern European Countries cooperation mechanism and the Belt and Road Initiative.

With its location and free trade arrangements, North Macedonia can serve as a gateway for Chinese companies seeking broader access to the European market, he said.

Carlos Vasquez, Peruvian ambassador to China, said logistics cooperation under the Belt and Road framework is helping Peru become a trade and investment hub on the Pacific coast, reflecting the country's commitment to strengthening connectivity with China since joining the Belt and Road Initiative in 2019.

China is Peru's largest trading partner, receiving 34 percent of Peru's exports last year, he said. He added that Chancay Port — the only fully digitalized port on the Pacific coast of South America — has shortened cargo transport time, improving export efficiency and competitiveness for Peru and neighboring countries.

Haitham Abdelhady, deputy chief of mission at the Egyptian embassy in China, said Egypt's location gives it strong potential as a hub linking Europe, Africa, and the Arab region, and the country is looking for more Chinese investment in infrastructure, renewable energy, industrial development, and sustainable transportation.

He said Egypt's economic zones, particularly those connected to the Suez Canal, offer important opportunities for Chinese companies. Chinese enterprises are already active in Egypt's wind, solar, and power generation projects, he said, adding that deeper cooperation would support Egypt's sustainable development goals and create more room for win-win growth.