China’s Lee Kum Kee Sauce Joins Fortune Global 500 Forum 2026 as Global Expansion and Innovation Take Centre Stage

Lee Kum Kee Sauce, the renowned century-old sauce and condiment company, took part in the 2026 Fortune Global 500 Forum held on September 16 in Guangzhou, China. As the only sauce and condiments brand among this year’s forum partners, the company highlighted its commitment to global business development and sustainable growth.

Julie Xing, Ph.D., Global Board Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lee Kum Kee Sauce, was invited to participate in a high-level panel discussion during the event. She also attended the Most Powerful Women (MPW) Breakfast, bringing together influential business leaders from around the world to discuss strategies, opportunities and approaches for building resilient enterprises and achieving long-term sustainable growth.

Under the theme “The New Growth Equation,” the forum featured a high-level panel discussion bringing together Dr. Xing and three prominent industry figures: Pingyi Huang, Senior Vice President of Shandong Weiqiao Pioneering Group Co., Ltd.; Weiming Xiang, Vice President of GE Aerospace and President of GE Aerospace Greater China; and John Qu, Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company. Titled “The Invisible Moat: Revaluing Soft Power and Sustainability,” the session examined how companies can build lasting competitive strengths in an era defined by rapid technological change, shifting market dynamics and rising global competition.

Moderated by Wei Yue, Senior Editor at Fortune China, the discussion focused on the hidden factors that create sustainable business advantages beyond traditional assets. The speakers explored the growing importance of brand credibility and consumer loyalty in shaping market leadership, the role of data-driven insights and organisational transformation in the artificial intelligence era, and the evolving strategies Chinese companies are adopting as they expand into global markets. The conversation highlighted how soft power, sustainability and innovation are becoming essential drivers of long-term resilience and growth.

“In an era where almost everything can be replicated, consumers’ mindshare and trust cannot,” Dr. Xing said during the discussion. “The real moat is not just the product itself — it is a 360-degree, multi-dimensional moat built on product quality, consumer experience, emotional value and innovative scenarios.” She added that AI is bringing disruptive changes from consumer insights to organizational.

Lee Kum Kee continues to focus on building a future-oriented business model, with an emphasis on organisational transformation, artificial intelligence adoption and sustainable growth. The company highlighted that future-ready enterprises will need to move towards more agile and flexible structures, where AI agents can support operations, improve efficiency and allow human talent to focus on strategic thinking, innovation and long-term value creation.

Discussing the international expansion of Chinese enterprises, Dr. Xing outlined a three-phase development journey that begins with exporting products, progresses towards establishing local manufacturing capabilities and eventually evolves into glocalisation. She emphasised that successful global growth requires more than entering new markets. Companies must develop a deep understanding of local consumer needs, cultural preferences and market conditions while creating solutions tailored for each region.

During the Fortune Global 500 Forum, Dr. Xing participated in the MPW Breakfast session titled “Decision-Making Power in the Age of Efficiency”, joining business leaders from various sectors to explore the changing landscape for organisations. She highlighted that although artificial intelligence is transforming productivity and operational processes, human capabilities such as leadership, strategic judgement and a long-term vision will remain essential factors driving competitive advantage.

Dr. Xing’s inclusion in the 2026 Fortune China Most Powerful Women (MPW) list marks her third consecutive recognition. Established in 2010, the MPW list is considered one of China’s leading platforms recognising influential women leaders in business and highlighting their contributions to economic development and corporate innovation.

The 2026 Fortune Global 500 Forum gathered representatives from more than 350 major global companies, academic organisations and industry leaders. The event featured discussions on key issues shaping the future of business, including artificial intelligence transformation, global supply chain evolution, sustainable development strategies and emerging market opportunities.

Looking ahead, Lee Kum Kee plans to strengthen its focus on quality, innovation and responsible business development. The company aims to accelerate growth while expanding sustainability initiatives, supporting talent development and improving corporate governance. Through continued collaboration with partners and stakeholders, Lee Kum Kee seeks to create new opportunities for long-term, high-quality growth in the global marketplace.