Summer Davos spotlight falls on host city Dalian's economic rise
夏季达沃斯聚焦主办城市大连的经济崛起
By YUAN SHENGGAO | China Daily
作者：袁升高 | 中国日报
Updated: 10:02 am (GMT+8) June 23, 2026
更新时间：2026年6月23日 上午10:02（GMT+8）
The 17th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, aka the Summer Davos, is being held in Dalian from June 23 to 25, attracting guests from home and abroad to the coastal city in Liaoning province.
第17届新领军者年会，即夏季达沃斯论坛，于6月23日至25日在大连举行，吸引国内外嘉宾齐聚这座辽宁省沿海城市。
Located at 122 degrees east longitude and 39 degrees north latitude, the modern marine metropolis of Dalian enjoys the status of a central city in coastal China and serves as an international comprehensive transportation hub.
位于东经122度、北纬39度的大连，这座现代化海洋都市是中国沿海中心城市，也是国际性综合交通枢纽。
This city, which grew around its ports and thrives by the sea, is one of the country's earliest cities to open up to the world.
这座因港而生、向海而兴的城市，是中国最早对外开放的城市之一。
Dalian has been home to the annual meeting since its launch in 2007, hosting the annual meeting in alternate years, alongside Tianjin.
自2007年首届年会举办以来，大连便成为举办地之一，与天津轮流承办。
This year marks the ninth time that Dalian has hosted the Summer Davos forum.
今年是大连第九次举办夏季达沃斯论坛。
Focusing on the theme of "Innovating at Scale", participants from around the world, including those from political, business and academic circles, as well as international organizations, will hold a series of discussions to explore new paths for cooperation and development during the three-day event, contributing fresh insights to global economic growth.
围绕“系统创新”主题，来自全球政商学界及国际组织的参会者将在三天会期内举办系列讨论，探寻合作与发展新路径，为全球经济增长贡献新智慧。
Participation has reached a record high in the history of Summer Davos.
本届夏季达沃斯参会规模创历史新高。
Dalian has become a vital partner of the forum due to its unique position as a bridge between East and West, its distinctive cultural charm, appealing urban environment, well-developed infrastructure and solid industrial capabilities.
凭借东西桥梁的独特区位、鲜明的文化魅力、宜人的城市环境、完善的基础设施及扎实的产业实力，大连已成为论坛的重要合作伙伴。
These qualities and advantages make it an ideal platform for showcasing innovation and fostering collaboration, experts said.
专家表示，这些特质与优势使其成为展示创新、促进合作的理想平台。
More than 60,000 spectators watch Dalian Yingbo play in the Chinese Super League at the Dalian Suoyuwan Football Stadium on March 29, 2025.
2025年3月29日，超6万名观众在大连梭鱼湾足球场观看大连英博队的中超比赛。
The state-of-the-art venue is a popular destination for experiencing Dalian's vibrant sports culture.
这座顶级场馆是体验大连活力体育文化的热门地标。
Far-reaching effects
深远影响
Between 2015 and 2024, the forum was held four times in Dalian, attracting 50 foreign-funded projects.
2015年至2024年，论坛在大连共举办四届，吸引50个外资项目落地。
During the 2024 edition, 13 foreign-invested projects, involving a combined contract value of 16.43 billion yuan ($2.42 billion), were introduced to the city.
2024年论坛期间，大连引入13个外资项目，合同总额达164.3亿元人民币（约24.2亿美元）。
The forum has drawn leading global companies such as SK Group and Orix into the city, and the foreign investment focus has shifted from diverse areas to cutting-edge industries, according to a report on the forum's impact on Dalian, which was released in 2025.
2025年发布的《论坛对大连影响报告》显示，论坛已吸引SK集团、欧力士等全球龙头企业落户，外资投向从多元领域向前沿产业集中。
Government data show that 217 new foreign-invested enterprises were established in the city in 2025, with paid-in investment reaching $2.7 billion, a 43.8 percent increase from 2024.
政府数据显示，2025年大连新设外资企业217家，实际利用外资27亿美元，同比增长43.8%。
Dalian's GDP surpassed 1 trillion yuan in 2025, marking a 5.7 percent increase over 2024.
2025年大连GDP突破1万亿元人民币，同比增长5.7%。
Experts believe that surpassing the 1-trillion-yuan milestone on the economic landscape of Northeast China will boost confidence in regional development and inject strong momentum into the across-the-board revitalization of traditional industrial bases in Northeast China.
专家认为，在东北经济版图中跨越万亿台阶，将提振区域发展信心，为东北老工业基地全面振兴注入强劲动力。
The momentum has continued into this year.
这一增长势头延续至今年。
During the first quarter, Dalian's GDP grew by 5.4 percent year-on-year, and paid-in foreign investment reached $430 million.
一季度，大连GDP同比增长5.4%，实际利用外资4.3亿美元。
Industrial upgrading
产业升级
Dalian is accelerating the optimization of its industrial structure, with its advantageous traditional industries rapidly transitioning toward higher-end, intelligent and eco-friendly development.
大连正加快产业结构优化，优势传统产业加速向高端化、智能化、绿色化转型。
At a six-cylinder engine workshop of FAW Jiefang Dalian Diesel Engine, automated guided vehicles shuttle intelligently, and industrial robots operate with precision.
在一汽解放大连柴油机六缸发动机车间，自动导引车智能穿梭，工业机器人精准作业。
Such modern smart manufacturing scenes are ubiquitous in the company, providing a vivid example of the revitalization of Dalian's traditional industries.
这类现代智能制造场景在该公司随处可见，生动诠释着大连传统产业的振兴。
In the petrochemical industry, Dalian continues to enhance its two core industry chains — aromatics and olefins.
石化产业方面，大连持续做强芳烃、烯烃两大核心产业链。
With a run of major projects being completed and put into operation, the city has strengthened its competitive edge in the field of advanced chemical materials.
随着一批重大项目建成投产，大连在先进化工材料领域的竞争优势持续增强。
In the field of equipment manufacturing, Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation, has been increasing investment in the research and development of innovative energy-efficiency technologies and alternative fuels.
装备制造领域，中国船舶集团旗下大连造船持续加大创新能效技术与替代燃料研发投入。
DSIC has delivered the world's first liquefied natural gas dual-fuel-powered very large crude carrier and methanol dual-fuel-powered VLCC.
大连造船已交付全球首艘液化天然气双燃料超大型原油船及甲醇双燃料超大型原油船。
CRRC Dalian has reported steady growth in its overseas business, with its products and services exported to 33 countries and regions, including Laos, Malaysia, New Zealand and Uzbekistan, covering a range of offerings such as locomotives, intercity trains and urban rail vehicles.
中车大连海外业务稳步增长，产品与服务出口至老挝、马来西亚、新西兰、乌兹别克斯坦等33个国家和地区，涵盖机车、城际列车、城市轨道交通车辆等。
Nowadays Dalian has created major industrial clusters, with a scale of 400 billion yuan in green petrochemicals and fine chemicals, 100 billion yuan in next-generation automotive industries, 80 billion yuan in shipbuilding and offshore engineering equipment, and 58 billion yuan in high-end bearings, CNC machine tools and advanced rail transit equipment.
如今大连已形成多个千亿级产业集群：绿色石化与精细化工4000亿元、新一代汽车产业1000亿元、船舶与海洋工程装备800亿元、高端轴承与数控机床及先进轨道交通装备580亿元。
In the first quarter of this year, the value-added output of industrial enterprises above designated size in the city increased by 9.9 percent, while their profits grew by 36.6 percent.
今年一季度，全市规模以上工业增加值同比增长9.9%，利润增长36.6%。
An elevated view of Dalian.
大连俯瞰图。
The coastal city is hosting the 17th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the Summer Davos, from Tuesday to Thursday, attracting approximately 1,700 participants from 90 countries and regions.
这座沿海城市于周二至周四举办第17届新领军者年会（即夏季达沃斯），吸引来自90个国家和地区的约1700名参会者。
Innovation-driven growth
创新驱动增长
The Annual Meeting of the New Champions has driven technological innovation, injecting momentum into Dalian's development of new quality productive forces.
新领军者年会推动了技术创新，为大连发展新质生产力注入动能。
The report found that since the forum's inception, Dalian's total R&D investment has risen from 4.28 billion yuan in 2007 to 28.09 billion yuan in 2023, and the R&D spending made up a growing proportion of GDP, rising from 1.39 percent in 2007 to 3.21 percent in 2023.
报告显示，自论坛创办以来，大连研发总投入从2007年的42.8亿元增至2023年的280.9亿元，研发支出占GDP比重从1.39%提升至3.21%。
Dalian leverages scores of local higher education and research institutions, including the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Dalian University of Technology, to promote the synergy between technological and industrial innovation.
大连依托中科院大连化物所、大连理工大学等众多本地高校与科研院所，推动科技创新与产业创新协同。
Currently, there are two national Belt and Road joint laboratories and 10 national key laboratories in Dalian, covering sectors including clean energy, fine chemicals, rail transit and intelligent manufacturing.
目前大连拥有2个国家“一带一路”联合实验室、10个国家重点实验室，覆盖清洁能源、精细化工、轨道交通、智能制造等领域。
Building on its research hub of Yinggeshi Science City, Dalian is building an internationally influential innovation hub to enhance its ability to tackle technological challenges collaboratively.
依托英歌石科学城这一科研枢纽，大连正打造具有国际影响力的创新策源地，提升协同攻克技术难题的能力。
A total of 398 laboratories across 25 research fields moved into Yinggeshi Science City by the end of 2025.
截至2025年底，英歌石科学城已入驻25个研究领域的398个实验室。
In the digital economy sector, the number of enterprises above designated size in the city exceeded 400 by 2024.
数字经济领域，2024年大连规模以上企业数量突破400家。
The sector generated an industrial added value of 75.26 billion yuan that year, representing a year-on-year increase of 17.8 percent, according to the report.
报告显示，当年该领域实现工业增加值752.6亿元，同比增长17.8%。
The contribution of the sector to the city's GDP grew to 7.9 percent in 2024, establishing it as a key new engine for economic growth.
2024年数字经济对GDP贡献率达7.9%，成为经济增长关键新引擎。
Currently, the city is home to more than 10,000 tech-driven businesses, and the number of high-value invention patents per 10,000 people in the city has increased by more than 75 percent over the past five years.
目前大连拥有科技型企业超1万家，每万人高价值发明专利拥有量近五年增长超75%。
As capital, projects, technology, talent and information are continuously flowing into Dalian, the city has established a strategic emerging industry system centered around software and information technology services, electronic information manufacturing, biopharmaceuticals and advanced medical devices, and new materials.
随着资本、项目、技术、人才、信息持续汇聚，大连已形成以软件与信息技术服务、电子信息制造、生物医药与先进医疗器械、新材料为核心的战略性新兴产业体系。
As one of China's major futures markets, the Dalian Commodity Exchange continues to enhance its level of international operations, expanding the number of tradeable products available to qualified foreign investors from 14 to 27.
作为中国重要期货市场，大连商品交易所持续提升国际化运营水平，合格境外投资者可交易品种从14个增至27个。
Green development
绿色发展
Dalian has taken the forum as an opportunity to improve its business environment, focusing on aligning with international standards and further easing market access.
大连以论坛为契机优化营商环境，对标国际标准，进一步放宽市场准入。
It has been recognized as a benchmark city for international business environment development for four consecutive years.
大连已连续四年获评国际化营商环境建设标杆城市。
At the same time, the city is systematically advancing its green and low-carbon transition, with 71 national-level and 108 provincial-level green factories established.
同时，大连系统推进绿色低碳转型，建成国家级绿色工厂71家、省级108家。
The Shenyang-Dalian hydrogen energy expressway has been included in the national master plan.
沈大氢能高速纳入国家总体规划。
The city leads or participates in the formulation of more than 70 percent of the international and national standards for the hydrogen energy industry in China, and it is capable of establishing a complete industry chain covering hydrogen production, storage, transportation, refueling and utilization.
大连主导或参与制定全国70%以上氢能产业国际与国家标准的制定，具备构建制、储、运、加、用全产业链的能力。
Meanwhile, substantial efforts are being made to advance offshore wind power projects, resulting in the establishment of the largest offshore wind power base in northern China.
同时，大连大力推进海上风电项目建设，建成中国北方最大海上风电基地。
By the end of 2025, installed capacity and electricity generation from clean energy accounted for 64 percent and 75 percent of the city's total, respectively.
截至2025年底，清洁能源装机容量、发电量分别占全市总量的64%、75%。
Booming tourism
蓬勃发展的旅游业
The number of inbound tourists to Dalian jumped by 70.2 percent year-on-year in 2025, setting a new historical record, said Shan Meina, head of the Dalian bureau of culture and tourism.
大连市文化和旅游局局长单美娜表示，2025年大连入境游客量同比增长70.2%，创历史新高。
In the first five months of this year, Dalian received 39.6 percent more inbound visitors compared to the same period of 2025.
今年前五个月，大连入境游客量较2025年同期增长39.6%。
"Dalian's 2,211-kilometer coastline is not only a 'blue necklace' but also a 'golden lifeline'," she said.
她说：“大连2211公里海岸线不仅是‘蓝色项链’，更是‘金色生命线’。”
As the only international cruise home port in Northeast China, Dalian Port has handled a total of 143 international cruise ship visits since 2016, serving nearly 280,000 inbound and outbound passengers, according to the statistics from the Dalian entry-exit border inspection station.
据大连出入境边防检查站统计，作为东北唯一国际邮轮母港，大连港自2016年以来共接待国际邮轮143艘次，服务出入境旅客近28万人次。
Among Dalian's cultural and tourism hot spots, the Suoyuwan Football Stadium stands out as a unique landmark.
在大连文旅地标中，梭鱼湾足球场是独特的存在。
As the only international-standard professional football stadium surrounded by the sea on three sides in China, it has a seating capacity of 63,000.
作为中国唯一三面环海的国际标准专业足球场，其座位数达6.3万个。
On May 23, as the intense competition of the 14th round of the 2026 Chinese Super League season came to an end, the stadium transformed into a roaring sea of excitement.
5月23日，2026中超联赛第14轮激战落幕，这座球场化作沸腾的欢乐海洋。
A total of 62,356 fans celebrated the victory with a resounding and unified chant of Sha-la-la, a signature cheering anthem tailored for Dalian's devoted football fans.
62356名球迷齐声高唱专为大连球迷创作的助威曲《Sha-la-la》，共同庆祝胜利。
So far this season, the stadium has boasted the highest attendance rate in all of Asia.
本赛季至今，该体育场上座率居亚洲首位。
Teams from Dalian have won the championship in China's top league eight times.
大连球队曾八次夺得中国顶级联赛冠军。
In the city, the tradition and legacy of football culture have never been broken.
在这座城市，足球文化的传承从未中断。
As one of the first high-level comprehensive reform pilot zones for youth campus足球 in China, Dalian had 286 national-level youth campus football characteristic schools and 124 national-level football-oriented kindergartens by 2025.
作为中国首批青少年校园足球高水平综合改革试验区，截至2025年，大连拥有国家级青少年校园足球特色学校286所、国家级足球特色幼儿园124所。
Its deep-rooted football culture has earned Dalian the opportunity to play host to the International School Sports Federation Football World Cup in 2024 and the 2025 FISU University World Cup Football.
深厚的足球文化底蕴让大连获得2024年国际中体联足球世界杯、2025年国际大体联足球世界杯举办权。
These two international youth football events brought together young players from dozens of countries to Dalian, fostering friendship and connections through the love of the game.
这两项国际青年足球赛事吸引了数十国年轻球员齐聚大连，以球会友、增进交流。
The charm of Dalian, dubbed the "city of football", extends far beyond the sport itself.
“足球城”大连的魅力远不止于足球。
For instance, the Dalian Marathon has been held 36 times, and the Dalian International Walking Festival, now in its 24th session, attracted more than 300,000 participants from home and abroad.
例如，大连马拉松已举办36届，第24届大连国际徒步大会吸引海内外参与者超30万人。
In addition to the thrilling sports events, more leisurely vacation experiences, such as flower-viewing, family-friendly getaways and relaxed urban strolls, are also highly favored.
除激情赛事外，赏花、亲子游、城市漫步等休闲度假体验同样备受青睐。
In 2025, the number of sea fishing enthusiasts visiting Changhai county, Dalian, exceeded 190,000, driving revenue from homestays, dining, fishing gear and related services in the county up by more than 30 percent.
2025年，赴大连长海县海钓爱好者超19万人次，带动全县民宿、餐饮、渔具及相关服务收入增长超30%。
As Dalian is in the spotlight as the host of the ongoing Annual Meeting of the New Champions, the city is riding the wave to showcase its economic strengths and enhance its opening-up to the world.
随着大连作为东道主成为全球焦点，这座城市正乘势而上，向世界展示经济实力、深化对外开放。
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