China's high quality development offers certainty amid sluggish global economy: int'l experts

China's commitment to high-quality development offers a note of certainty for a sluggish global economy amid trade and geopolitical tensions, said international experts when commenting on China's two sessions -- a key event on the country's political calendar.

In line with this commitment, China on Thursday set an economic growth target of 4.5 to 5 percent for 2026, according to a government work report submitted to the country's top legislature for deliberation during the two sessions.

The "two sessions" are the annual meetings of China's supreme organ of state power, the National People's Congress (NPC), and its top political advisory body, the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). Both bodies serve five-year terms and hold a plenary session each year.

The fourth session of the 14th NPC and the fourth session of the 14th National Committee of the CPPCC kicked off in Beijing on March 5 and March 4, respectively.

The economic growth target gives a suitably balanced start to the new five-year plan (2026-2025) and offers much-needed certainty and role model to a troubled world economy, according to observers.

"I think this year's two sessions is significant in a lot of ways, not just because it signifies the new pathway for China's coming five-year's journey for development and modernization -- the news that's coming out from the two sessions is something that people have been waiting for. The coming 15th Five-Year Plan is also emphasizing several aspects which create a lot of certainty for the situation, in this case, the commitment to push for multilateralism and also to contribute to the strengthening of a multipolar world," said Christine S. Tjhin, director of strategic communication and research at the Indonesian Gentara Institute.

"Today's world is turbulent. China's modernization has set an example for many developing countries. By lifting over 800 million people out of poverty, China has given a special 'pater' -- or what we would call a 'role model' in our language -- to many countries in Africa, Asia and if possible, to some countries in Europe like ours," said Faruk Boric, President of the Bosnian-Chinese Friendship Association.

Officials and experts also noted that China's two sessions offer an important window for the world to understand the country's policy priorities and development direction, which holds significant importance for the international community.

"The Belt and Road project is something that is benefiting not only South Africa, but the African continent. And you will know that South Africa is the largest trading partner with China on the continent of Africa. And we can leverage that, using the power that South Africa has, the influence that South Africa has in the rest of the continent," said Les Govender, Deputy Chairperson of the South African National Council of Provinces.

"We are talking not only about China's economic growth, as such, but its advancements in cutting-edge technologies that elevate global standards," said Pedro Grados Smith, Director of the Graduate School of the University of Lima.

China's high quality development offers certainty amid sluggish global economy: int'l experts

A crossing point on the Türkiye-Iran border is seeing people going in both directions as some flee the conflict in Iran, while others are returning to their homeland with a vow to fight in the war as U.S.-Israel strikes continue to pummel the country.

Nestled in the mountains between Türkiye and Iran, the Kapikoy border crossing has become a key point of entry or exit, especially given the mass flight suspensions and airspace closures as a result of the conflict which erupted on Feb. 28.

Despite the dangers, Akbar, an Iranian who has lived in Germany for 12 years, is one of the many young men who are determined to head home and join the efforts to defend their country.

He said he decided to return immediately after seeing new reports that his hometown of Isfahan in central Iran had been bombed. He vowed to stand by his country until the end. "I want to return to Iran to protect my country. I am willing to give my life for my motherland. For my life and my compatriots, I am willing to give my life. I have no intention of returning to Germany. I will stay in Iran. I will protect my country with my own life. I want the whole world to know Iranians will always steadfastly protect their country," said Akbar.

Other Iranians who had been working in Türkiye said they were prepared to return for the same reason and do whatever they can to protect their homeland.

"Israel and the United States have made a grave mistake. They will pay a price, a heavy one. We will fight to the end to defend Iran," said one of the young men at the border crossing.

But the border point is also seeing a stream of people going in the opposite direction, as many Iranians are passing through here as they seek to flee the constant aerial bombardment by the U.S and Israel.

"We saw many bombs, four bombs, or, I don't know, five bombs. We are very scared, [I'm] with my mom, and we want to go to Türkiye, it's safe there," said Mahir, an Iranian university student.

Mahir also spoke of the trauma brought by the crisis, saying he has barely slept over the past few days, but every time he closes his eyes, all he sees is explosions. He also expressed worries about others who have been left behind, including his best friend, who is still stuck hundreds of kilometers away in the city of Tabriz.

More than 1,330 Iranian civilians, including women and children, have been killed in U.S.-Israeli airstrikes and thousands more injured, Iran's UN ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani said on Friday, while accusing the United States and Israel of deliberately targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure across Iran

U.S.-Israeli strikes continue to pound the capital Tehran and other areas of Iran. Much of the Iranian capital has been shrouded in thick black smoke in recent days after oil depots in surrounding areas were targeted, raising concerns over the impact of pollution and the disruption to fuel supplies.

Since the U.S. and Israel launched large-scale strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, Iran has responded with multiple waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and U.S. assets across the region, hitting many countries in the Gulf.

Some flee, others return to fight as Türkiye-Iran border crossing sees people going in both directions