Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Friday, March 29th, 2024

China Steps up its Opening-up Policy

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China Steps up its Opening-up Policy

Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated “nationwide opening-up”, “multilateral trading system”, “win-win strategy” and making “an open world economy” in his Monday’s keynote speech at the opening ceremony of China’s International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, which was attended by 172 countries, regions and international organizations and 3,600 companies from around the world.
Xi pledged China’s support to open wider to the outside world and strengthen multilateralism and urged the world to reduce the negative spillovers of national policies, pursue innovative growth and make the global economy more open.
He believed protectionism and seclusion would put an adverse effect on the entire world and winner-takes-all lead to dead-end; whereas open and liberalized economy would be productive for all nations and conducive to the fulfillment of common aspiration.
“China’s door will never be closed. It will only open still wider. China will not stop its effort to pursue higher-quality opening-up. China will not stop its effort to pursue an open world economy. And China will not stop its effort to pursue a community with a shared future for mankind,” said Xi in the event, themed “New Era, Shared Future”. He added, “In inter-connected global village, to share the fruit of innovation is the common aspiration and natural choice of the world community”.
Xi stressed the opening-up policy on multiple occasions and pointed out that communication rather than confrontation will resolve the challenges and partnership rather than alliance will lead to peace and prosperity.
It is believed that China’s “smile diplomacy” will pave the ground for peace and prosperity. China has been constantly upholding common ground and seeking to promote the development of friendly relations between nations. Meanwhile, China has shared the fruit of its reform and opening-up, which began in 1978, with the world through contributing to global economy.
Currently, China is the second largest economy with a market of over 1.3 billion consumers, which provides the global enterprises to enter the Chinese market. China’s imports of goods and services are expected to exceed US$ 30 trillion and US$ 10 trillion, respectively, in the next 15 years, which was also mentioned by President Xi, and will further support global economy through providing foreign enterprises to enter Chinese market. Likewise, “China has,” said Xi, “shortened the negative list on foreign investment to reduce investment restrictions and promote investment liberalization.” 
Xi also reaffirmed China’s commitment to promote the Belt and Road Initiative through international cooperation “in the spirit of consultation and collaboration for shared benefits.” It should go without saying that to reinforce global trade and connectivity, the world is in need of a land-based and oceangoing route such as the Belt and Road. Political figures and writers have highlighted that global connectivity, cultural exchanges and people-to-people interaction, which are the building blocks of a community of shared future, are the very objectives of the BRI.
All in all, Chinese officials believe that to live in a world free from fear and want and in a world where every individual could enjoy peace and prosperity – which is proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people – all nations have to accept and embrace one another, support the spirit of brotherhood and abandon only-my-backyard policy. 
To live a peaceful and prosperous life in the “global village” and build a community of shared future for mankind, President Xi proposed two essential issues. First, implementing the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This Agenda pays especial heed to eradicating poverty, fostering inclusive societies, strengthening global solidarity, creating conditions for sustainable and inclusive economic growth and shared prosperity, etc. In other words, implementing the UN 2030 Agenda will resolve the bulk of the global challenges and pave the ground for building a community of shared future.   
Second, promoting international cooperation at multilateral and bilateral levels and making economic globalization more open and inclusive. He urged the world to uphold the rules of the World Trade Organization and defend multilateral trading system.  
Since we live in the global village, protectionism and zero-sum game will have repercussions for the entire world. To contribute to global economy and build a community free from want and need, the world has to practice upon the rules of the WTO, support multilateralism and implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

Hujjatullah Zia is the permanent writer of the Daily Outlook Afghanistan and freelance writer based in Beijing . He can be reached at zia_hujjat@yahoo.com

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