The 2nd "Understanding China" Conference adjourns

    CYD, Beijing, November 3 (correspondents: Lu Yijie & Gao Siwei) The three-day 2nd "Understanding China" International Conference adjourned in Beijing today. During the period, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with attending foreign delegates. Zhang Gaoli, Vice Premier of the State Council and member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech.

    Ernesto Zedillo, Chairman of the 21st Century Council and former Mexican President, mentioned at the closing luncheon speech that he was very pleased to hear high-level Chinese government officials talking about the 13th Five-year Plan. He believed that China has been sticking to its goals, valuing new economic growth, stressing technological and institutional innovation, emphasizing the development of the tertiary industry, striving for products with higher value, and strategizing properly for local development. He also highly praised China for her ethnic minority policy and efforts in narrowing the gap between urban and rural areas, etc.

    "I feel that China is cautiously optimistic, which is a good thing, and now you have a good plan with a good interpretation." At the forum, Zedillo found China was not shy to discuss topics such as the middle income trap, "as they are thinking about this issue and seeking a path to achieve strategic development while dodging the trap."

    According to Nicolas Berggruen, Chairman of the Berggruen Institute, Chinese leaders have clear-cut and practical ideas on the future economic development. In the appointment with President Xi, he was impressed with two facts: First, the world needs a prosperous China, and vice versa, where China must interact with the world for mutual prosperity and play a constructive role in maintaining world stability; Second, China intends to supplement and contribute to the vulnerable spots of the financial architecture rather than reshape or rebuild it. China's leaders have very clear goals for maintaining a stable environment at home and abroad.

    He also stated that China was still a young country from the demographic point of view, and expected young people to unleash more strength, hoping that China would be more self-confident to create more content for foreigners to see. "The world belongs to the young."

    Executive President of CPIFA Lu Shumin said that the guests conducted a lively discussion on the proposals for China's 13th Five-year Plan, put forward good suggestions and better understood each other. Such a constructive and sincere dialogue is what the organizers expect, and we hope that the guests will pay attention to China's development and pay more visits to China.

    The co-sponsors included the CIIDS, CPIFA, Beijing Municipal People's Government and 21st Century Council. Over 40 former dignitaries, strategists and business leaders from around the world attended the Conference.