- China pledges to deepen its role in global development through openness, innovation, and market integration.
- The 2025 Summer Davos Forum underscores China’s commitment to inclusive globalization and foreign investment.
- Canada records the steepest youth unemployment rise among top OECD economies, signaling internal structural challenges.
At the 2025 Summer Davos Forum in Tianjin, China reinforced its ambition to shape global economic trends by highlighting its strengths as a large developing country and innovation hub.
In stark contrast, Canada is facing a severe downturn in its youth employment sector. Recent OECD data revealed that unemployment among Canadians aged 15–24 has increased by 3.6 percentage points over the past two years—the highest among the 25 largest advanced economies.
Contrasting Fortunes: China’s Global Push vs. Canada’s Youth Employment Struggles
The 16th edition of the Summer Davos Forum served as a platform for China to project its long-term economic strategy focused on innovation, consumption, and inclusive globalization. Premier Li Qiang’s keynote reaffirmed the country’s commitment to expanding access to its markets, signaling to foreign investors that China remains open for business even amid rising global protectionism.
Guo Jiakun further stressed the importance of solving global economic issues through equal dialogue and mutual benefit. By calling on companies worldwide to “grow together with China,” the nation is positioning itself as a cooperative force in an otherwise fragmented global trade environment. China’s approach contrasts with isolationist trends seen in several developed nations.
On the other hand, Canada’s youth job crisis reflects systemic problems that go beyond short-term economic cycles. Entry-level jobs are disappearing or evolving rapidly, leaving young Canadians behind. This trend could lead to long-term economic scarring if not addressed through targeted policies in education, skills development, and labor market integration.
The sharp increase in youth unemployment also raises questions about economic inclusivity in advanced economies. As China pushes forward with global outreach and investment incentives, countries like Canada may need to reassess internal policies to remain competitive and ensure their young populations are not sidelined in the evolving global economy.
While China charts a forward-facing economic path rooted in global collaboration, Canada faces the urgent task of recalibrating its domestic labor strategy to safeguard the future of its youth.
“The future depends on what you do today.” — Mahatma Gandhi
This underscores the significance of present-day economic choices in shaping long-term global and national prosperity.
