The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) align strongly with China's Global Development Initiative (GDI), according to Siddharth Chatterjee, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in China.
In an exclusive interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Chatterjee said the two initiatives shared similar philosophies and objectives.
He said China's 2025 economic growth target of around 5 percent is the key to sustaining China's growth momentum.
"Therefore the 5 percent target is crucial in order to maintain the velocity and the ambition that China has. Because ultimately we will need that kind of growth, not only to generate the employment that we need, but the desire of China that by 2035, it is a moderately prosperous society having nearly 800 (million) people in the middle class category. So, those investments have to be made now. So, not just the speed that we need in making sure that the 5 percent rate of growth is maintained and perhaps more. At the same time, how do we create a new workforce where we re-skill them, bring them the new skills that we need? Because today there are five things that will define the momentum for the way forward. Artificial intelligence, quantum computing, semiconductors, fintech, biotech will define progress across the world. How do we embrace these technologies and make them a social good? Make sure that people who have been affected by the jobs that it may take over are able to transition onto new jobs," he said.
He said that China's ongoing reform programs and its efforts to advance the modernization of the country will provide valuable experience for economic development in other parts of the world.
"Whether it's in the space of technology, whether it's in the space of green development, whether it's in the space of climate, whether it's in the space of poverty eradication, in all these areas, China has done extremely well. And what it has done very well was it invested in human capital, invested in infrastructure, invested in business. Now this collective, therefore, provides the momentum that is needed. It's a good model for many other countries which have challenges with it, which is why I said that the UN sees itself as a convener, connector and a catalyzer of partnerships, in order to allow more South-South collaboration, more knowledge sharing to happen," he said.
UN SDGs align with China's Global Development Initiative: UN official
NPC Deputies from east China's Jiangsu Province vowed to make greater contributions to the overall development of the nation after Chinese President Xi Jinping joined them in group deliberations on Thursday.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, took part in the deliberation with his fellow deputies from Jiangsu during the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature.
During the discussions, deputies from various sectors shared their experiences and spoke on a wide range of topics, including agriculture, technological and industrial innovation, education and talent training, and rural governance.
"I felt extremely excited today to be able to meet face-to-face with the General Secretary and report to him on Huai'an's economic and social development over the past two years. In recent years, we have vigorously cultivated the development of the crayfish industry in line with the requirements for developing local specialty products. In Xuyi County, one-sixth of the population is engaged in this profession. When I reported to the General Secretary a moment ago, I shared some good news with him. The 'Xuyi No. 1' crayfish has achieved growth of more than 18 percent in both yield per mu (about 0.067 hectare) and individual weight. Crayfish farming has provided more employment opportunities for our labor force and promoted income growth for residents," said Shi Zhijun, secretary of the CPC Huai'an Municipal Committee.
"I reported to the General Secretary on the integration of technological innovation and industrial innovation. The General Secretary attached great care for Soochow University. For our emerging industries and future industries, one important focus is developing commercial aerospace. We are now working together with industry partners to address this issue, hoping that Soochow University will achieve coordinated development with Suzhou's social economy in the future, and make greater contributions particularly to developing new quality productive forces," said Zhang Xiaohong, Party Secretary of Soochow University.
"I reported to the General Secretary on the achievements our team has made in breeding wheat resistant to Fusarium head blight. We have successively developed highly resistant varieties including Yangmai 33 and Yangmai 53, covering two directions of high-quality wheat development. Chinese bowls must be filled with Chinese grain. We must continue our efforts to ensure stable growth of national grain production and guarantee food security," said Gao Derong, a researcher at the Institute of Agricultural Sciences for Lixiahe Region under the Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
"Today, I feel extremely honored and excited to report to the General Secretary on the changes and development of our Desheng Village over the years. The General Secretary inquired about Party organization building, industrial development, social development, and environmental governance. For rural areas, we must first develop industries so that people can benefit substantially from this process. Meanwhile, the building of civilized rural customs must be advanced in parallel," said Yang Hengjun, head of Desheng's village committee.
In the deliberation, Xi has called on economic powerhouses like Jiangsu to redouble efforts to gain experience in analyzing new situations and solving new problems.
Deputies say they will implement the General Secretary's instructions and strive to make new achievements. "Today, the General Secretary, on the one hand, spoke positively of Jiangsu's contributions as an economic powerhouse, shouldering heavy responsibilities during the 14th Five-Year Plan period. On the other hand, he put forward new requirements for Jiangsu in terms of developing new quality productive forces in line with local conditions to enhance economic resilience, and in continuously strengthening common prosperity for the people. As an NPC deputy, I will earnestly study and implement the General Secretary's important instructions upon my return, so that Huai'an's modernization process can advance on a more solid foundation," Shi said.
"Universities, especially research universities, as national strategic scientific and technological forces, must do well in basic research and application. As an important base for talent cultivation, we must establish mechanisms for integrated development of education, science and technology, and talent, and cultivate top innovative talents. We will implement the General Secretary's instructions through these efforts," Zhang said.
NPC deputies from Jiangsu vow to make greater contributions in national development
