The city’s strategic partnership with the World Economic Forum, which began in 2007, has served as a catalyst for foreign investment. Between 2015 and 2024, the forum helped pull 50 foreign-funded projects into the region, shifting capital flows toward cutting-edge sectors. Government figures confirm this momentum: 2025 saw the establishment of 217 new foreign-invested enterprises, with paid-in investment reaching $2.7 billion—a 43.8 percent surge over the previous year.

Industrial modernization remains central to this growth. Traditional sectors are undergoing rapid digitalization, exemplified by automated production lines at FAW Jiefang Dalian Diesel Engine and the development of alternative-fuel technologies at Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co. This transition is backed by a massive commitment to research; total R&D spending has ballooned from 4.28 billion yuan in 2007 to 28.09 billion yuan in 2023. With the Yinggeshi Science City at its core, the region now hosts over 10,000 tech-driven businesses.

Beyond industry, Dalian is positioning itself as a sustainable model for the future. Clean energy now accounts for 75 percent of the city’s electricity generation, and officials are spearheading national standards for hydrogen energy. Tourism is also hitting record highs, with inbound visitor numbers jumping 70.2 percent in 2025, buoyed by the city’s unique status as a cruise hub and its deep-seated cultural identity, anchored by a legendary local soccer tradition.