Years of sustained investment in innovation have fueled the rapid emergence of new technologies, products and business models in China. The country's artificial intelligence (AI) sector has experienced "explosive growth," the premier said, noting that daily token consumption of Chinese large language models had surpassed 100 trillion by the end of May this year, ranking among the highest in the world.

　　"There are strong advantages in hardware experimentation and innovation in China," Andrew D. Maynard, professor at Arizona State University, told Xinhua, while adding that innovation in China is advancing at a much faster pace than in Europe and North America.

　　A drone photo taken on April 13, 2026 shows a green fuel vessel setting sail for sea trials in Jiaozhou Bay, Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province. (Photo by Yu Fangping/Xinhua)

　　"CHINA OPPORTUNITY 2.0"

　　Amid the rapid rise in China's innovation capabilities, some observers have voiced concerns over China's technological and industrial progress, even promoting the narrative of a so-called "China Shock 2.0" that frames China's development as a shock to the global economy.

　　Yet a growing number of voices instead point to a "China Opportunity 2.0," aptly used to summarize China's more open, inclusive and tech-powered economic interaction with the rest of the world, which comes after its integration into the global economy following 40-plus years of reform and opening up.

　　For enterprises worldwide, "China Opportunity 2.0" represents comprehensive innovation-driven empowerment and high-return investment prospects, Premier Li stressed.