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The 7th Qingdao Multinationals Summit Concludes with Promising Partnerships

The 7th Qingdao Multinationals Summit (QMS) was held from June 15 to June 17, 2026, in Qingdao, a picturesque coastal city within east China's Shandong Province. Co-hosted by both the Shandong Provincial People's Government and the Ministry of Commerce, this event stood under the significant theme, "Joining Hands for the 15th Five-Year Plan Toward a New and Shared Future." This occasion wasn't just another conference; it represented China’s steadfast commitment to high-standard opening-up policies and attracted industry leaders from around the globe.

Flagging the presence of 357 Fortune Global 500 companies and notable industry figures from 44 different countries, the summit served as a robust platform for promoting international collaboration and innovative endeavors. A total of 57 projects were signed at the event, showcasing a significant financial footprint, including:

• - 20 foreign-funded projects amounting to $2.56 billion in investment.
• - 9 foreign trade projects with a cumulative import and export value of $1.68 billion.
• - 2 foreign economic cooperation projects valued at $44 million.
• - 15 modern services projects collectively worth 6.65 billion yuan.
• - 8 domestic-funded projects amounting to 6.87 billion yuan.

These landmark agreements included groundbreaking collaborations in sectors like green low-carbon development, modern commerce, and the digital economy, engaging partners from countries such as South Korea, France, the UK, Russia, Kazakhstan, Mexico, and regions of China including Hong Kong SAR.

Focus on Industry Integration and Expansion

The summit was structured around three pivotal themes aimed at steering industrial trajectories and bolstering partnerships:

1. Integration of Industrial Tracks: For the first time, specialized forums and matchmaking events were introduced, covering future industries, new energy vehicles, green chemicals, and smart agriculture among others. This move facilitated the confluence of cutting-edge technology and traditional manufacturing, enhancing collaborative prospects for multinational enterprises in China.

2. Expanding Openness and Cooperation: The summit was not just exclusive to traditional partnerships, as it also launched initiatives such as the inaugural Türkiye Exchange Day and a dialogue for Kyrgyzstan Enterprise Cooperation. This multi-faceted approach aimed at reinforcing energy and resource security through a resilient supply chain, thus nurturing a diversified and stable framework for international cooperation.

3. Amplifying the Summit's Impact: By embracing its foundational advantage of being deeply rooted in Shandong while reaching out on a national scale, the summit highlighted industrial opportunities within Sichuan Province and attracted commerce authorities from numerous locales. Moreover, a pioneering matchmaking conference for capital investment was established to connect multinational corporations with essential national resources, boosting Shandong’s contributions to broader national strategies.

A Benchmark for the Future

Over seven years of consistent development, the Qingdao Multinationals Summit has positioned itself as a benchmark for constructive collaboration amongst multinational corporations, fostering an atmosphere conducive to mutual benefits. As we embark on the 15th Five-Year Plan cycle, the summit’s commitment stands firm: a vision of an open, stable, and dynamic China collaborating with global enterprises to forge new pathways of innovation and growth.

The success of this year’s summit not only establishes a new chapter in international partnership but also signals a forward-looking approach to global trade and economic development—one that champions collaboration, sustainability, and innovation at its core.