The boss of advertising giant WPP (LON:WPP) stayed upbeat on China despite its downturn, but sounded caution on the UK's EU referendum and the economy.
Martin Sorrell told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that he was still optimistic about Chinese prospects despite currency devaluations and stock market falls.
Sorrell pointed to China's emergence as a global economic power and the country's burgeoning middle classes.
"China has been the biggest driver of the world economy," he told Today.
In the company's results, Sorrell said the surprise Conservative election victory in the UK "had resulted in an uncertainty-stimulating EU referendum".
He added: "In addition, the reduction of the still remaining, substantial, UK budget deficit, is being re-addressed in the context of a new fixed five year political cycle."
Sorrell also cautioned that companies' public optimism had not been matched by their actions and that global economic prospects were muted.
"To survive in the advertising and marketing services sector, you have to remain positive, indeed optimistic," he said.
"Company reports generally continue, understandably, to reflect that attitude. However, general client behaviour does not reflect that state of mind as tepid GDP growth, low or no inflation and consequent lack of pricing power encourage a focus on cutting costs to reach profit targets, rather than revenue growth.
"In addition, there seem to be little, if any, reasons for an upside breakout from the current levels of real or nominal GDP growth."
WPP, which owns marketing, PR and research businesses such as Hill & Knowlton, Ogilvy & Mather and Kantar Worldpanel, has itself expanded into China.
Sorrell said China was key to WPP's future as well as that of the global economy.
WPP said first-half like-for-like net sales rose 2.3% and by 3.7% in July, which the company said indicated potentially stronger third quarter trading.
Pre-tax profit rose 44.5% to £710mln and by 45.6% in constant currencies, reflecting net exceptional gains.
The group boosted its interim dividend per share by 36.9% to 15.91p.