by H.E. Ambassador Zhou Limin
China's Two Sessions (the annual sessions of the National People's Congress and the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference) have successfully concluded. During the Two sessions, Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Minister of Foreign Affairs, held a press conference to elaborate on China's foreign policy. The Two Sessions have attracted global attention and serve as an important window into China. I would like to share some of the content with friends in Kiribati.
China's economy is expected to continue its robust growth, providing a strong impetus for global economic development. In 2023, China's GDP exceeds 126 trillion yuan, with a growth rate of 5.2%, one of the highest among the world's major economies. China's GDP per capita exceeds $12,000 and its middle income group exceeds 400 million and is still growing. China's economy will contribute more than 30% to global economic growth in 2023, making it the world's largest driving force. The government report sets an economic growth target of around 5% for 2024, demonstrating China's resilience, promise and dynamism.
China is currently leading the world in innovation with the new quality productive forces. The number of China's top 100 global science and technology innovation clusters has recently surpassed any other country. China has made significant advancements in various fields, including the construction of large cruise ships and the innovations in artificial intelligence and quantum technology. Additionally, the C919, the first large aircraft made in China, has been put into commercial operation. Furthermore, China's exports of new energy vehicles, lithium batteries, and photovoltaic products have exceeded one trillion yuan mark, with a 29.9% increase. In 2024, China will vigorously push forward the construction of a modernised industrial system, accelerate the development of new quality productive forces, build a new engine of economic development, and inject new vitality into the development of the global economy.
China's diplomacy has been proactive and innovative, and has strongly safeguarded national sovereignty, security, and development, as well as the shared interests of developing countries. Last year, President Xi Jinping hosted two major diplomatic events in China, attended three multilateral summits, made four important overseas visits, and had more than 100 meetings and phone calls. Head-of-state diplomacy is getting increasingly irreplaceable in providing strategic guidance. The Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation was a success, taking Belt and Road cooperation to a new stage of high-quality development. BRICS achieved a historic expansion, opening a new chapter of united strength for the Global South. We facilitated the historic reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and mediated a ceasefire agreement in northern Myanmar. We promoted political settlement of all hotspots and conflicts. We resolutely opposed all hegemonic and bullying acts, and effectively safeguarded China’s sovereignty, security and development interests as well as the common interests of developing countries.
The building of a community of shared future for mankind has been fruitful and has been highly appreciated by the world. It's been 10 fruitful years for this vision since President Xi Jinping put it forward. It has evolved from a conceptual proposal to a scientific system, from a Chinese initiative to an international consensus, and from a promising vision to practical results, showing strong vitality. From bilateral partners to multilateral institutions, from regional frameworks to global initiatives, and from public health to cyberspace and oceans, China has built communities of shared future with many countries and regions in many forms and domains. Time and again, this vision has been enshrined in UN General Assembly resolutions, as well as in the resolutions and declarations of the SCO, BRICS and other multilateral mechanisms.
The international environment is changing and turbulent, while China will remain a staunch force for peace, stability and progress of the world. The world landscape today is undergoing profound transformation, and human society is confronted with multiple challenges. Although this is an era fraught with challenges, it is also an era brimming with hope. China will stand firmly on the right side of history and on the side of human progress, and will advocate vigorously peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit. It will pursue its development along with its efforts for peace and development of the world, and at the same time, it will make greater contributions to world peace and development through its own development.
Kiribati and China are good friends, good brothers and good partners. China is willing to make joint efforts with Kiribati to synergize the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative and the KV20, deepen cooperation in various fields, promote development to achieve more results and bring greater benefits to the two peoples.