News Release
ADB, PRC Call for High-Quality Development to Drive Productivity, Innovation, and Openness
Beijing, the People's Republic of China 23 Sep 2025
BEIJING, PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA (2 October 2025) – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) reaffirmed their commitment to advancing high-quality development at the 2025 East Asia Forum (EAF) in Beijing, focusing on productivity growth, innovation, and economic openness.
The two-day forum gathered more than 135 policymakers, development practitioners, and industry specialists, including 45 senior officials from 22 developing member countries (DMCs), alongside ADB experts, academia, and more than 100 online participants. It was co-organized by ADB’s East Asia Department and the ADB–PRC Regional Knowledge Sharing Initiative, with support from the PRC Ministry of Finance and the Development Research Center of the State Council.
ADB Vice-President for East and Southeast Asia and the Pacific, Scott Morris, and PRC Vice Minister of Finance and ADB Alternate Governor, Liao Min, opened the event. “This year’s East Asia Forum highlights how China’s evolving development model—one that is innovative, green, open, shared, and coordinated—offers important lessons for Asia and the Pacific,” said Mr. Morris. “ADB is committed to working with China and our other developing member countries to replicate best practices, explore new forms of partnership, and generate public goods that extend well beyond national borders.”
Vice Minister Liao Min emphasized the need for a high-quality development model that is innovative, green, open, shared, and coordinated. He highlighted PRC’s willingness to deepen its partnership with ADB further, enhance knowledge and experience sharing, and work together to support developing members across the region in achieving high-quality development.
Discussions on the first day highlighted how competition, innovation, and technology can boost productivity, while government support should evolve as industries mature. Participants also explored how expanding economic openness and service sector liberalization can drive private sector development, strengthen social services, and boost domestic consumption.
On the second day, the forum featured the third Talk China Seminar on “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence to Promote High-Quality Development.” Policymakers, experts, and private sector representatives exchanged views on AI adoption and its potential role in supporting development across Asia and the Pacific. A field visit showcased innovative AI applications in Beijing.
The 2025 East Asia Forum marked the fourth annual event since its launch in 2021. It continues to serve as a flagship platform for South–South knowledge exchange, drawing lessons from the PRC’s transformation and sharing experiences across Asia and the Pacific.
ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.
