Premier Li Keqiang on March 23 met with foreign representatives attending China Development Forum 2015 at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
Premier Li discussed a broad range of issues with six representatives, including DuPont CEO Ellen Kullman; Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz, who is also an economics professor at Columbia University and Martin Wolf, chief economics commentator at Financial Times. The six representatives stand for more than 100 guests at the forum. Among them were leaders of the world’s top 500 enterprises and experts and scholars at world-famous universities, research institutions and media. They commented on various topics, such as deepening China’s cooperation with other countries, promoting social equity, industry upgrading, preventing financial risks, supply-need structure balance, climate change and society construction.
The Premier said that currently, China’s economy is highly integrated with the world economy. China’s economy has entered a new normal. The country is adjusting to the situation, promoting structural reform, creating a new driving force for economic growth and planning “dual engines” to maintain a moderate to high speed of economic growth. The government will streamline administration and delegate power to lower levels, being a “referee” rather than “ticket collector” or “athlete” in the court, create opportunities for mass entrepreneurship and innovation, and stimulate market vibrancy and social creativity. Meanwhile, the government should provide basic life allowances for people who live in difficult situations and eliminate the worries of entrepreneurs, especially youth entrepreneurs.
Premier Li pointed out that the Chinese government is promoting another round of high-level opening up. Market permission will continue to be loosened, especially in the service industry. Meanwhile, intellectual property rights protection will be enhanced. A steady and transparent policy environment, an efficient and regulated administration as well as an equal competition market will be established for foreign business people. The Premier said he hoped that foreign enterprises in China can take advantage of the trend and opportunity of China’s economic development.
Premier Li stressed that the “Made-in-China 2025” strategy will focus on innovation, intelligence transformation and green development, and upgrade the level of China’s manufacturing industry. The Premier welcomed foreign enterprises to actively participate in and develop third-party markets together by using global capacity cooperation. He hoped related countries loosen restrictions on technology export to China, and oppose protectionism together. Strengthening Sino-foreign economic and technological cooperation is beneficial to both sides and the world.
Foreign representatives said that China’ economic development is closely related to the world economy, and has gained attention of the international society. The forum provides an opportunity to learn more about China’s economic transformation and development. Transnational corporations are willing to take an active part in China’s reform and opening up, and hope to see a sustained and steady development of China’s economy.
