TCL Founder and Chairman Li Dongsheng: The rules related to globalization are changing, and Chinese companies need to readjust their globalization strategies.

Every reporter｜Zhang Rui Every editor｜Chen Junjie

From March 22 to 23, the China Development Forum 2026 Annual Meeting was held at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing.

TCL founder and chairman Li Dongsheng spoke at the “Technology Innovation and Future Industry Development Seminar” about how to transform cutting-edge technologies into real productive forces, deepen international cooperation, and build a modern industrial system.

During the annual meeting, Li Dongsheng was interviewed by various media, including reporters from the “Daily Economic News.”

Li Dongsheng stated that as a traditional consumer electronics and home appliance company, TCL has explored many new advanced manufacturing tracks during its development, currently focusing on four industrial tracks: smart terminals, semiconductor displays, photovoltaic new energy, and semiconductor materials.

“We have set ambitious goals in all four tracks, with double-digit growth targets for each industry this year,” he said. The growth momentum comes from two aspects: first, product technology innovation, and second, overseas business expansion.

He mentioned that the business performance at the beginning of this year has been good, with positive growth in the first two months. However, the impact of the Middle East situation on the market began to manifest in March, and there will be some challenges ahead. “But we are confident in achieving this year’s growth targets.”

Li Dongsheng Photo provided by the organizer

Hoping for a more relaxed financing environment in heavy asset, long-cycle tracks

This year’s “Government Work Report” sets the economic growth target in the range of 4.5% to 5%. In Li Dongsheng’s view, this is quite reasonable and achievable.

He stated that the future development of the Chinese economy must maintain moderate growth while paying more attention to the quality of that growth. In recent years, we have emphasized high-quality development, as the quality of development is more important than scale for both the country and enterprises.

Regarding the potential for China’s economic growth, Li Dongsheng believes it mainly comes from two aspects: first, the new products, new technologies, and new market increments driven by innovation, such as the application of artificial intelligence technology, which will bring huge economic growth opportunities; second, the development of the service industry, where there is still significant growth space compared to developed economies, especially through technological innovation and the introduction of new products that can drive growth in related service industries.

From the perspective of enterprises, what policies do you expect to stimulate these potentials?

In this regard, Li Dongsheng expressed that as an advanced manufacturing enterprise, TCL operates in an industrial track characterized by high technology, heavy assets, and long cycles. The main driving force for enterprise development comes from two aspects: first, technology innovation driven mainly by the enterprise’s own investment and accumulation; second, capital driven, hoping for a more relaxed financing environment. In these heavy asset, long-cycle tracks, enterprises continuously require substantial capital investment. Currently, most Chinese enterprises are still in the accumulation stage, and how to obtain a better financing environment is a direct prerequisite for the development of advanced manufacturing.

When discussing TCL’s potential points, Li Dongsheng mentioned that for us, future growth mainly comes from two aspects: first, promoting product technology innovation and market growth through enhanced advanced manufacturing capabilities; second, global expansion. “The Chinese market is large, but the global market is even larger,” he said. In the context of the restructuring of the new global trade and investment pattern, how Chinese enterprises adapt to changes in the economic globalization landscape, formulate better development strategies, and promote more effective global business layouts is our most important growth point for the future. In recent years, TCL’s overseas business growth has reached 15%, higher than the growth rate of domestic business, and we are confident that this growth trend can continue.

There is still significant room for improvement in the supply of film and television content and high-definition display content

Regarding the currently volatile international situation, Li Dongsheng admitted that there are indeed concerns about overseas business. The global market is constantly changing, with significant impacts from the situation in the Middle East. However, enterprises cannot change the macro environment; they can only adapt to the changing environment and focus on their own affairs. “Despite various influencing factors, we are confident in achieving this year’s overseas business growth targets.”

Li Dongsheng mentioned in his speech that currently, global technological competition and cooperation are intertwined. Although the geopolitical environment is complex, business should be a common language among countries.

He stated that there is still significant potential in the process of China’s economic globalization. Enterprises, as economic entities, should actively expand foreign investment and international cooperation. Against this backdrop, enterprises should also achieve a global transformation, moving towards the global 3.0 stage, from product export to co-building industrial capabilities, rooting overseas, integrating locally, and enhancing global resource allocation capabilities.

When asked about his views on enterprises going abroad amid the current international situation, Li Dongsheng told reporters from the “Daily Economic News” that the rules related to globalization are undergoing some changes. As Chinese enterprises, they need to adapt to these changes in rules and re-optimize their globalization strategies.

This year’s “Government Work Report” proposed arranging 250 billion yuan of ultra-long-term special government bonds to support the replacement of old consumer goods with new ones, optimizing policy implementation mechanisms. Li Dongsheng believes this policy will have a direct effect on boosting domestic market demand growth.

Regarding the claim that “without a replacement policy, the television industry will decline,” Li Dongsheng stated that for television products, the global market is still growing overall, but the Chinese television market has indeed been declining in recent years.

“I think this is mainly not a problem with the products themselves, but rather related to the insufficient supply of content associated with the television industry,” Li Dongsheng said. For example, there is still much room for improvement in the supply of film and television content and high-definition display content. Within the entire film and television industry and entertainment industry, televisions, as terminal products, actually account for a relatively low proportion of the value of the industry chain.

“For example, in the United States, the annual output value of the film and television industry is about 4 trillion yuan, while China’s film and television industry has an annual output value of about 1.6 trillion yuan, indicating that we still have significant growth potential.” He said that only with rich and sufficient film and television content will terminal demand increase.