Foreign experts laud China's economic progress

Several foreign experts have hailed China's economic progress during interviews on the sidelines of the NPC&CPPCC, or Two Sessions meetings, in Beijing.

They said that China's economy has seen progress both in scale and quality, and that the country's development is a benefit both to China and the rest of the world.

49-year-old Yahya Saleh, the Secretary-General of the Palestine-China Friendship Association, has closely followed discussions during this year's Two Sessions. 

He said what impressed his most was the country's breakthroughs in shaking off poverty and building a moderately prosperous society.

"What I have witnessed is truly remarkable. China's technological advancement highlights the role of e-commerce in the development of trade. This wouldn't be possible without the reform and opening up," said Saleh.

He also believed that the Belt and Road Initiative is a major part of China's reform and opening up, and that it will bring significant opportunities to the countries involved.

"We look forward to closer ties between China and Palestine. We hope China's government can expand its investment in Palestine's infrastructure and economy through the Belt and Road Initiative," said Saleh.

2018 marks the 40th year of China's reform and opening up, and is a critical time in the county's efforts to achieve a moderately prosperous society in all respects.

Patrycja Pendrakowska, the president of the Poland Asia Research Center, shared her thoughts regarding China's reforms and the potential challenges that they bring.

"China's development model must shift its focus from quantity to quality. This is widely accepted by Polish academia. This transformation is also the biggest challenge facing China. We hope that China can stick to high-quality development and technical innovation. It might slow down the speed of growth but in return it will generate social benefit," said Pendrakowska.

This year's government work report set the growth target for the country's economy to 6.5% this year.

Swiss economist Philippe Monnier believed China's economy is further stabilizing.

Swiss economist Philippe Monnier. [Photo: CRI Online]

"These measures are progressive. For example, cutting the deficit, reducing the urban unemployment rate, lowering auto tariffs, encouraging the use of the Internet, increasing access to foreign investment, and lowering corporate tax. China has set its growth target at 6.5% this year. It is a sound target," said Monnier.

As the former Executive Director of the Greater Geneva Berne area, Monnier has kept company with many Chinese entrepreneurs.

Impressed by how China communicates with other countries, he believed that China's open attitude, embodied by the "Belt and Road" Initiative and the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank, is a sign of its sense of responsibility as a major developing country.