China's focus on applying artificial intelligence across industries and its broader economic transition toward high-tech sectors are drawing global attention, a foreign expert said.

David Meale, practice head for China at Eurasia Group, said on the sidelines of the China Development Forum 2026 on Sunday that China's approach to artificial intelligence stands out for its emphasis on real-world industrial applications rather than only frontier technology models.

"What strikes me is that what makes China different from the United States is this real focus on AI applications being integrated into almost every part of production processes and business operations, compared with what we are seeing elsewhere, which is more focused on frontier models and their capabilities," he said.

Meale said China's transition toward a more technology-driven economy will be closely watched globally, especially as AI reshapes industries and employment structures worldwide.

"It is very challenging for all countries right now to adjust to a world where AI is displacing workers in some sectors, while new sectors are not creating a lot of new jobs at the same time. China is also thinking about how to navigate that transition," he said.

Looking ahead, he said the global community will pay close attention to how China balances technological innovation, consumption growth and economic restructuring in the coming years.

"Over the next five years, the world will be watching whether there will be more consumption relative to investment and exports, and how China navigates that transition," he said.

Meale also said China has prepared for a more turbulent global environment and is positioning itself as a stabilizing force in the global economy.

"China has planned for a world that is going to be turbulent. By virtue of its vast market, its planning and how it is positioning itself in the world, China wants to communicate a message of pushing global events toward greater stability," he said.

He added that stable China-US relations are important for global supply chain stability.

"Both sides understand that we cannot live in a world where countries are not predictable in their role in supply chains," he said.