China Ends Key Foreign Advisory Board, Signals Shift in Economic Policy

China has shut down a major council of international business leaders. This group, which included top executives from companies like Apple and BlackRock, had advised the Chinese government for over twenty years. The official reason given was a need to "adjust and optimize" advisory bodies. However, the sudden move is seen by many analysts as a clear signal. It suggests Beijing is now prioritizing domestic economic strategies over foreign input. The council was a direct channel for global CEOs to discuss policy with senior Chinese officials. Its end coincides with a challenging period for China's economy, marked by slow growth and decreased foreign investment. Experts interpret the closure as a move toward greater self-reliance. "It indicates a decision that external advice is less relevant to China's current path," said a policy researcher in Hong Kong. The change may deepen concerns among international businesses about their future role in China. It reflects a broader trend of Beijing distancing itself from Western-style economic governance.