By Hasan Muhammad

Editor's Note: The writer is a freelance columnist on international affairs based in Karachi, Pakistan. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of China Economic Net.

The 16th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, better known as Summer Davos, kicked off this week with a record-breaking 1,800 participants from over 90 countries. That attendance figure isn’t just a statistic - it’s a silent but emphatic vote of confidence in multilateralism, in a rules-based global order, and, perhaps most pointedly, in China’s role within it.

And what of the forum’s substance?

The agenda here is refreshingly focused. Five thematic pillars structured the discussions: deciphering the global economy, prospects for China, industrial disruption, investment in people and the planet, and the energy/material transition. These aren't just buzzwords; they are the battlefronts of the modern global economy. And it is telling that over 40 cabinet ministers and 14 public-private co-chairs found enough common cause to gather around them.

At the heart of this convergence lies a fundamental recognition: the global economy is in flux, if not outright crisis. The January 2025 Global Risks Report, released by the World Economic Forum, reads like a laundry list of 21st-century anxieties - climate shocks, supply chain fragility, technological upheaval, geopolitical volatility. In this context, the enthusiasm for Summer Davos is less about optimism and more about necessity. As Mirek Dusek of the Forum aptly noted, “60 percent of global GDP growth is now coming from Asia.” This is not merely a regional trend; it’s a restructuring of the global order.

It is perhaps no coincidence that participation from the Middle East and North Africa has doubled this year. China’s non-interventionist stance, far from being a diplomatic handicap, now appeals to nations wary of great-power entanglements. As Dr. Jing Lin of the National University of Singapore notes, China is increasingly seen as a “neutral and stable partner.”

Of course, no gathering - however well-choreographed - can resolve the deeper contradictions of the global economy. This week’s forum isn’t about erasing problems; it is about re-engaging with them. In a time when many countries are building walls - literal and metaphorical - Summer Davos in Tianjin dared to build bridges.

The presence of global leaders like Singapore’s Lawrence Wong and Vietnam’s Pham Minh Chinh further underscores Asia’s centrality to any viable global recovery. As Sheikh Tanjeb Islam, editorial lead at the World Economic Conference, remarked, “Despite competition, there must also be cooperation.” It sounds like an aphorism until you realize how rare such sentiments have become in official discourse.

The 2025 Summer Davos reminded attendees - and observers - that while ideological cleavages may dominate headlines, quiet coalition-building still has its place. That amid the cacophony of tariffs, sanctions, and diplomatic snubs, dialogue remains a valid and vital tool.

China, for its part, didn’t just host the event - it positioned itself as a stakeholder in the global future. Whether through high-level meetings, cross-sector dialogue, or the simple act of welcoming nearly 2,000 delegates with an open hand, the message was clear: the path to global stability cannot be paved alone.