Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday stressed that the Chinese miracle of high-speed growth will be succeeded by a focus on even more remarkable high-quality development despite global challenges.
Speaking at a press conference on the sidelines of the ongoing third session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) -- China's national legislature -- in Beijing, Wang pointed out that China's five-percent economic growth in 2024 set it apart from other major global economies. He attributed this success to China's resilience in the face of global economic stagnation and green transition efforts, and despite external pressures such as unilateral sanctions imposed by the U.S.
"The Chinese economy registered a five-percent growth last year, continuing to stand out among the world's major economies. And we pulled it off amid a nationwide push for green transition, amid lackluster growth of the global economy and amid unilateral sanctions and suppression from the United States and others. It shows the distinct feature of the Chinese economy: go get it against all odds," he said.
"As President Xi Jinping pointed out, we always grow in braving the wind and rain, and we get stronger through hard times. Whether it was the global financial crisis or the COVID-19 pandemic, did the Chinese economy ever fail to withstand the immense challenges and achieve even better development? Our confidence comes from China's super-sized market and huge domestic demand, from China's robust industries and innovative driving force, and more importantly from China's institutional strength and reform and opening up. As people often say, 'the next China is still China.' The Chinese miracle of unprecedented high-speed growth will be followed by even more remarkable high-quality development," the foreign minister said.
When addressing China's foreign policy, Wang noted that the Chinese foreign service will continue to enhance the external environment for Chinese modernization, citing measures such as visa-free entry for 38 countries and the extension of transit visa-free duration of stay, which aim to boost international travel and cooperation.
"China's foreign service will continue to provide solid strategic underpinning and foster a favorable external environment for Chinese modernization. We will work to create more convenient channels for two-way travel. So far, China has granted unilateral visa-free entry to 38 other countries and extended the transit visa-free duration of stay to 240 hours for 54 other countries. More countries may join our visa-free 'circle of friends,' sustaining the popularity of 'China travel' around the world. We will introduce more efficient foreign affairs services, coordinate resources at different levels, innovate and upgrade the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' signature program of presenting the provinces of China, and build bridges of cooperation in China's further opening up. We will work for a better business environment, steadily expand institutional opening up, advance voluntary opening up in an orderly manner, continue unilateral opening up to the least developed countries, further cut down the negative list, lower the threshold of market access and keep China as a go-to partner for international cooperation," he said.
The third session of the 14th NPC runs from March 5 to 11.
Chinese miracle of high-speed growth to be followed by high-quality development: FM
