Chinese President Xi Jinping's call for strengthened innovation has inspired confidence among international observers who look to the country as a guiding force for global progress.
The world has been watching closely the past week as China held its annual "two sessions," a highly anticipated event on the country's political calendar that refers to the meetings of China's highest organ of state power, the National People's Congress (NPC), and the country's top political advisory body, the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).
When taking part in a deliberation with NPC deputies from Jiangsu during the third session of the 14th NPC, Xi highlighted that technological and industrial innovation constitute the fundamental pathways for developing China's new quality productive forces.
Experts and elected officials from around the world were impressed by this vision and highlighted how China's achievements in science and technology can help drive development globally.
"[President Xi] emphasized development of the new quality productive forces, especially in the field of artificial intelligence. It is a priority for China. The prospects for China's economy and industrial development are very promising, thanks to the full support of the government," said Tokon Mamytov, the Director of the Institute of State and Law at Kyrgyzstan's National Academy of Sciences.
"I entirely agree (with) what President Xi Jinping has said because as everybody knows, technology and industrial development are the key drivers for the global economy. When you hear a big player like China deciding that they will be able to put to the forefront of foreign economic policy [about] these drivers, we receive it with excitement because we definitely need to have sufficient space to participate in the global economy," said George Chisanga, a Zambian Member of Parliament.
"A look at the statistics makes it clear that China is leading the world in terms of the number of papers and patents across all scientific and technological fields. This is not a transient phenomenon; it will undoubtedly remain the case for many years to come," said Francesco Sylos Labini, a permanent researcher at the Enrico Fermi Research Center in Italy.
"President Xi Jinping has proved himself not only to be a leader but also a statesman. These two sessions have a very important significance. If we see in artificial intelligence, if we see in space technology, China is far more ahead than the world," said Khalid Taimur Akram, the Executive Director of the Center for Global and Strategic Studies Islamabad.
Observers also pointed out how this vision blends with China's development initiatives as the country seeks to build a pathway to common development.
"China is actively practicing sustainable development and working hard to achieve its goals. At the same time, it is also helping other countries achieve the same development goals. The Global Development Initiative proposed by the Chinese president is for many other countries to assist them in achieving sustainable development," said Boris Titov, the Special Envoy of the Russian president for relations with international organizations and the Chairman of the Russian side for the China-Russia Friendship Committee for Peace and Development.
"I believe that the great Belt and Road Initiative proposed by President Xi has already begun to significantly improve the living conditions of people in Africa, Latin America, and Ibero-America. I regard this as a big commitment to strengthening global connectivity and multilateralism, and to building a community with a shared future for mankind," said a Spanish media professional Marta Montoro.
Int'l observers applaud messages from China's "two sessions" about furthering global development
