On April 19, the “Understanding China·Greater Bay Area Dialogue” kicked off in Guangzhou, and will last until April 20. In the opening speeches and keynote speeches, global dignitaries, scholars, as well as representatives from international organizations voiced their ideas under the theme of Chinese Modernization and New Opportunities for the World.
(Photo provided to GDToday)
Wang Weizhong, Governor of Guangdong Province, said in his speech that since its inception in 2013, the "Understanding China" has become one of the most influential platforms for the world to understand China's development strategy. He said that this year’s theme will help the international community better understand China and Chinese modernization.He also introduced the latest trend of high-quality development in Guangdong.
Zheng Bijian, Chairman of China Institute for Innovation & Development Strategy, said in his speech that China sticks to the path of development, Chinese modernization has brought opportunities for its own development and the world. “China is willing to see the development of developed countries, and meanwhile willing to rise peacefully with a large number of developing countries,” he stressed.
China’s development benefits the world
Yves Leterme, Former Prime Minister of Belgium, said that over the last 45 years, China has made an unprecedented performance in economic, social, and human progress, and this is thanks to the opening-up policy.
He furthered that to a very important extent, the Greater Bay Area realized this outstanding performance. “Now, the 14th five-year plan is the continuation of this policy. It has the right emphasis of the unified domestic markets in China,” he said.
In his opinion, the world should actively join forces to continue to defend fundamental choice of openness, interconnectedness, fair competition, free trade, and stand against protectionism, selfishness, and disruption of supply chains.
According to Goh Chok Tong, Former Prime Minister of Singapore, Chinese development has benefited the world, in particular countries in the region. Singapore has been an early and steadfast partner of China.
He added, “China is now the world's second largest economy with a share of global GDP at over 18 %, and as China optimized its COVID-19 policy, we expect this economy to grow stronger and lead global growth.”
He said that instead of destructive decoupling, China and Singapore are walking towards constructive coupling, with large scale projects like China-Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City being conducted.
He stressed that countries should play a positive sum game, not a zero sum game, and hopes this conference will lead to more ideas and greater impetus to embark on new initiatives for China-Singapore constructive partnership.
Dialogue with China vital for peaceful development
Jean-Pierre Raffarin, Former Prime Minister of France, sent his speech through video, as he had just concluded his visit to China with French President Emmanuel Macron from April 5 to 7. He highlighted the importance of having dialogue with China as the world needs cooperation instead of conflict.
“France hopes to send China a positive signal that we value peaceful development and feel worried about deteriorating international relations and challenges such as energy, inflation and security. These are topics of China-EU cooperation and will be addressed at the Forum,” he said.
Raffarin added that 2024 marks the 60th anniversary of China-France diplomatic relations, “The two sides will take the opportunity and launch the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism to fully resume exchanges and cooperation in areas of culture, education, tourism, sports and art.”
New growth model in the world
“China is setting a new growth model in the increasing complexity worldwide,” said Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Former President of the Philippines.
Arroyo believes “a recognition of the value of state-of-the-art technology” is one of the key factors of China’s rapid development in the past decades. The other factors include a long-term vision, a strong will to implement that vision, and a recognition of the value of infrastructure.
She added, along the path to modernization, “China has proven to be a partner in development. It is a market for developing countries, a donor, and a provider of capital and technology.”
“The world is indeed in a new era, and this new era calls for a new journey and new cooperation. In this new cooperation, the relationship between the Philippines and China is more important than ever for my country,” Arroyo noted.
Author | Hannah, Jasmine, Lydia Liu
Editor | Wing, Steven, Jerry
