Step into the Future from Now: The Third "Understanding China" Conference Concluded Successfully

On December 18, the third "Understanding China" Conference ended successfully in Beijing Hotel. Zheng Bijian, Chairman of CIIDS (China Institute of Innovation and Development Strategy), delivered the closing speech.

This conference coincides with the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening up. Only when we review the past can we know what we have gained and lost. Only by summarizing the past and facing the future, can we better grasp the new driving force of development and create a new era of mutual benefit and win-win situation. In this context, nearly 40 world famous politicians, strategists and entrepreneurs gathered in Beijing, together with more than 500 guests, to talk about China's stories, share successful experience, and understand "China, a country that continues its reform and opening up".

The conference discussions concentrated on the two major themes of "comprehensive deepening of reform and new driving force of China's development" and "changes in the international pattern and new opportunities for global cooperation". On the first theme, the guests talked freely around regional development and China's new economic layout, technological innovation and industrial transformation and upgrading, construction of modern financial system and high-quality development, with the vitality of China's development surging in mind.

The representatives at the conference congratulated China on its great achievements in many fields, such as economic development, poverty reduction and education, since its reform and opening up. Everyone agreed that on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening up, the international conference on "understanding China" is well timed. About the future, U.S. economist Stephen roach, a senior fellow at Yale University's Jackson Institute for Global Affairs, said China enjoys a bright future in promoting services, independent innovation and green development.

Under the second theme, closed-door discussions were held on regional security and the new type of international relations, "One Belt and One Road" -- from a community of Shared interests to a community of Shared future. All participants at the conference agreed that dialogue and cooperation are needed in the era of globalization. Countries should work together to advance the reform and improvement of international rules, uphold multilateralism and free trade, and jointly make contributions to the progress of human being.

At such an important time point, we held a forward-looking conference, which enabled us to see clearly our prospect and future of the world through discussions and exchanges. At the same time, it strengthened our determination and confidence in jointly building the community of Shared interests and community of Shared future for the mankind and safeguarding and prolonging the peace, prosperity and development of the world.

During the three-day conference, participants talked about the positive impact of re-start of reform and opening up on China's new development, considered the significance of the re-start for the world, put forward many insights and reached many basic consensus.

The participants agreed that the re-start of reform and opening up is the only way for China's future development. Despite the recent drastic changes in international situation, China's idea of development and global governance have won support and endorsement of most countries in the region. China will still have strong development potential and economic influence for some time to come. The international conference on "Understanding China" has enhanced mutual understanding between China and other countries and has a great significance for China to continue to strengthen exchanges and mutual understanding with other countries and promote common development.