At the recent National People’s Congress, China’s new Premier Li Qiang seized the world’s attention with his compelling inaugural press conference. Tackling a range of pressing issues, Li’s call to “embrace reform and embark on an open path” resonated deeply, sparking anticipation and hope for the future.
Li underscored the government’s commitment to serving the people and enhancing their well-being. To realize these goals, China must champion reform and openness as guiding principles. In its quest for modernization and the achievement of its long-term goals, China must persistently engage in socialist market economy reforms while maintaining a high level of openness to the world.
Over the past 45 years of reform and opening-up, China has made extraordinary strides in economic and social development. However, the nation still grapples with issues of unbalanced and inadequate growth. Li acknowledged the importance of transitioning from addressing the binary question of “having it or not” to the more nuanced challenge of “how well” China develops. This shift requires a renewed emphasis on technological innovation, the establishment of modern industrial systems, and the pursuit of sustainable, eco-friendly development models.
