A work meeting on the themes and topics of the 9th Hongqiao International Economic Forum was held in Beijing on Tuesday, marking the beginning of the preparations for the 9th edition of the annual event.

Held concurrently with China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, the forum has grown into a high-level dialogue platform for the international political, business, and academic communities, galvanizing global consensus on building an open global economy and a community with a shared future for humanity.

At the work meeting, scholars, experts and partner representatives exchanged views on a range of key issues, including upholding openness and inclusiveness, safeguarding the multilateral trading system, strengthening global governance cooperation, advancing international innovation cooperation, and accelerating the global green transition.

"Right now the world is completely uncertain of what direction is going. So the Hongqiao Forum is an opportunity for businesses around the world to have certainty, to have access to one of the largest markets in the world," said political commentator Einar Tangen, also a senior fellow of Centre for International Governance Innovation.

For the first time, the forum this year is opening an online public survey to solicit themes and topics from the broader public.

At last year's 8th Hongqiao International Economic Forum, representatives from 13 international organizations, eight Nobel laureates, nine academicians, senior government officials and executives from Fortune 500 companies participated in discussions. More than 20 outcomes were released, including World Openness Report 2025.