No Japanese business executives will attend the China Development Forum (CDF) in Beijing this week, a move attributed to ongoing diplomatic tensions between China and Japan, according to an internal attendee list reviewed by the South China Morning Post.
The annual forum, which begins Sunday and runs through Monday, is a key event for multinational corporations seeking to understand China’s economic direction and engage with high-level officials. This year’s event will see participation from approximately 80 top executives, with representatives from U.S. Firms comprising the largest national contingent.
The absence of Japanese executives marks a notable shift from previous years, signaling a potential cooling in business ties amid strained political relations. Several CEOs from Middle Eastern nations, who had initially planned to attend, have also cancelled their trips due to disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict in the region, sources indicated.
The CDF, initiated in 2000 by the China Development Research Foundation under the Development Research Center of the State Council, traditionally serves as a platform for dialogue between Chinese leadership and global business leaders. It was originally conceived by then-Premier Zhu Rongji as a means of gauging the impact of policies and fostering open discussion, according to historical accounts of the forum.
Among those confirmed to attend are Apple CEO Tim Cook, Volkswagen’s Oliver Blume, and Samsung Electronics’ Lee Jae-yong. Representatives from TotalEnergies, Mercedes-Benz, Maersk, SK Hynix, Siemens, Broadcom, Cargill, and AstraZeneca are also scheduled to participate, according to the attendee list.
This year’s forum will focus on China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), exploring opportunities for global cooperation and high-quality development. The event will feature 13 thematic seminars and closed-door discussions covering macroeconomic policy, consumption growth, health industry development, green transition, new energy, technological innovation, and artificial intelligence.
The CDF is often referred to as “China’s Davos,” reflecting its significance as a high-level meeting point for international business and policy leaders. It takes place annually following the National People’s Congress meetings in March.
