Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China's remarkable development benefits all the countries in the world, and any attempt to contain China is doomed to fail.
Wang made the remarks at a meeting attended by people from all walks of life during his current two-day trip to the Republic of Korea (ROK).
Historical inevitability
While talking about China's achievements made in national development, the foreign minister stressed that China's development path, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, is not only suitable for China's national conditions, but also follows the trend of the times.
The rise of China, according to Wang, is a "historical inevitability" and is fully supported by the Chinese people, and welcomed by a growing number of countries in the world.
Wang, on the other hand, also noted that there are always some people who do not wish to see the rise of China and attempt to contain China by using various methods to smear China and deliberately make bad remarks about the prospects of development.
"Behind these, there are an ideological prejudice and arrogance of power politics," said Wang, adding their outdated Cold War mindset and hegemonic acts "cannot win the hearts of the people" and all these attempts will after all "end in a failure."
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Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (2-L), Seoul, ROK, December 5, 2019. /Photo via Chinese Foreign Ministry
High-level opening-up
Speaking of China's opening-up, the foreign minister said that the ease of doing business in China has improved greatly, ranking 31st in the world in 2019 compared to 78th in 2017.
China is advancing a high-level opening-up, Wang said. According to him, China has cut its average tariffs to 7.5 percent, far lower than many developing countries and emerging economies.
Wang said that market access has also been expanded in a large scale. He specifically mentioned China's new Foreign Investment Law which is expected to come into effect on January 1 next year.
Great contribution to the world
Wang also highlighted China's remarkable contribution to the world in economic development, poverty alleviation and climate change.
With an annual contribution rate of over 30 percent to global economic growth, China has become a leading engine of global economic growth, said Wang.
China has lifted 850 million people out of poverty, Wang said, accounting for more than 70 percent of the total global poverty alleviation population.
Besides, China has met its commitment to the international community ahead of schedule with a 45.8 percent reduction in its carbon emission. All these prove that China, while realizing rapid national development, has also made great contribution to the world, said Wang.
(Cover: Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks at a meeting in Seoul, ROK, December 5, 2019. /Photo via Chinese Foreign Ministry)