CGTN poll: China's financial opening-up helps ease the world economy's governance dilemma

Against the backdrop of escalating trade frictions and disruptions to global supply chains, the 2026 Annual Conference of Financial Street Forum opened as scheduled. A survey conducted by CGTN among global internet users shows that 82.98% of respondents believe China's continued hosting of the forum demonstrates its resolve and confidence in deepening financial reform and opening up and strengthening international financial exchanges and cooperation. It also highlights China's efforts to address a key dilemma facing global economic governance: how to balance security and efficiency.

Under the theme "Openness, Cooperation and Inclusiveness: Building a New Global Financial Ecosystem," this year's forum has brought together more than 400 participants from over 40 countries and regions. According to the survey, about 85.25% of respondents believe the forum provides an important platform for stakeholders to exchange views on financial development, build consensus and deepen international financial cooperation.

The forum features key topics, including "Economic Governance in the Age of AI" and "AI-Driven Digital and Intelligent Transformation of Capital Markets," while showcasing breakthroughs in applying artificial intelligence, quantum technology and other digital and intelligent technologies to the financial sector. In this context, 74.83% of respondents believe deeper integration of finance and digital technologies can improve economic efficiency and enhance the quality of financial services, while 80.86% believe artificial intelligence has become a key variable reshaping the financial industry.

In recent years, China has accelerated efforts to develop a modern financial system with Chinese characteristics and improve the quality and effectiveness of financial services for the real economy. The survey found that 90.49% of respondents believe that better coordination across the financial sector in serving the real economy helps strengthen China's economic resilience and sustain long-term growth. Meanwhile, 93.49% believe that continued development of technology finance can accelerate the commercialization of scientific and technological advances and drive industrial upgrading.

As China continues to develop advanced manufacturing, the digital economy and green industries, new industrial demand and investment opportunities continue to emerge. According to the poll, 89.23% of respondents believe these developments offer global investors greater opportunities for long-term investment in China. From January to July 2026, cross-border RMB receipts and payments exceeded 50 trillion yuan (about $7 trillion), while overseas entities held more than 11 trillion yuan in RMB-denominated financial assets in China. A total of 85.92% of respondents believe that the growing use of the RMB in cross-border transactions reflects the continuously rising international appeal of China's financial markets.

China is also working to bolster international financial cooperation, including expanding cross-border investment and financing cooperation with other countries through platforms such as the Belt and Road Initiative. In the survey, 81.43% of respondents agreed that China's strengthened international financial cooperation helps broaden financing channels for countries of the Global South and provide greater support for their economic development. Furthermore, 84.49% believe China's continued financial opening up and efforts to promote international financial cooperation help strengthen confidence in and support the stability of global financial markets.

The survey was conducted as an open online poll across CGTN's English, Spanish, French, Arabic and Russian platforms. A total of 3,630 participants casted their votes and shared their views within 24 hours.