As the World Economic Forum's 56th annual meeting unfolds in Davos this week (Jan 19-23), global leaders face a critical question: Can dialogue overcome growing divisions in our fractured world? 🤝
The Great Debate: Collaborate or Collapse?
With the forum's theme 'A Spirit of Dialogue' echoing through Alpine halls, Chinese scholar Xue Tianhang tells CGTN: 'This isn't just about talk – it's survival strategy.' The numbers don't lie:
📈 Global trade growth slowed to 1.7% in 2025
🌐 73% of nations report increased trade barriers since 2023
💸 $2.9 trillion in potential GDP loss from tech decoupling
Asia's Rising Voice
While Western delegates debate protectionism, Asian leaders are pushing bold solutions. The Chinese mainland recently proposed a Digital Silk Road 2.0 initiative at the forum, aiming to bridge tech divides through open-source AI development. 💻
But challenges remain: 'We're seeing vaccine-style nationalism in quantum computing,' noted a Singaporean delegate during Wednesday's panel. 'The solution? More Davos moments, less TikTok diplomacy.'
Gen-Z's Stake
With 60% of attendees under 40, young entrepreneurs are stealing the spotlight. South Korean startup founder Ji-hyun Park, 28, told us: 'My generation doesn't care about old rivalries – we want Web4 infrastructure that works from Seoul to São Paulo.' 🚀
As night falls over the Swiss Alps, one thing's clear: The real work begins when the snow melts. Will 2026 be remembered as the year of reconnection – or retreat? ❄️➡️🌱
