At the 2025 Bund Summit in Shanghai, economist Marc Uzan sat down with CGTNs Li Mengyuan to unpack major shifts in the economy of the Chinese mainland.
"China is changing its growth model and financial system, and is well-positioned in the revolution of payment and money systems," said Marc Uzan, executive director of the Reinventing Bretton Woods Committee.
This transformation builds on years of rapid digital adoption. From mobile apps that handle everyday purchases to pilot trials of a central bank digital currency, the Chinese mainland has become a global proving ground for next-generation payment technologies.
Uzan explained that the Chinese mainlands pivot goes beyond tinkering with apps. It represents a broader shift from an investment-led approach toward one driven by innovation, services and household consumption. By modernizing its financial infrastructure, the Chinese mainland aims to unlock new growth engines and strengthen economic resilience.
Industry observers point to several key trends: the explosive growth of e-wallets, seamless integration between online and offline retail, and the rise of peer-to-peer mobile transfers. Meanwhile, central bank pilots are exploring how digital currency can streamline cross-border trade and enhance financial inclusion in remote regions.
These developments resonate far beyond the Chinese mainland. As countries worldwide grapple with updating legacy systems, the lessons emerging from Shanghais Bund Summit offer a roadmap for balancing regulation, innovation and user adoption. For entrepreneurs and investors, the message is clear: the next wave of growth will come from ecosystems that merge cutting-edge technology with robust financial frameworks.
As the global community watches these shifts unfold, one thing is certain: the future of payment and money systems is being reshaped in real time, with the Chinese mainland at the epicenter of a revolution that could redefine how we transact, save and invest.
Reference(s):
Economist: China is changing its growth model and financial system
cgtn.com
