Editor's note: If the West isn't pulling any punches in attacking China, why should China pull any in defending itself? In this four-episode series, CGTN Insight walks you through the web of lies, disinformation and distortion spewed by Western media and politicians, and shows you the truth – both of their motivation and the reality in China. In the third episode, we will look behind the argument that China's door is closing.

Criticisms of the Chinese economy reverberate. These voices reached a climax after China floated the new development pattern of "dual circulation." Some Western analysts are concerned that the socialist country is turning inward.

But these accusations lack a basic foundation in economics.

China has been labeled the world's factory for decades. "Made-in-China" was sometimes used as a synonym for "low quality." Low manufacturing costs and a lack of cutting-edge technology put China on the lower end of the supply chain.

This is true. But don't forget, comparative advantages change over time. China's relentless focus on technological progress led to an upgrade in its industrial patterns.

"In the age of AI, data is the new oil, so China is the new Saudi Arabia," Kai-fu Lee, chairman and CEO of Sinovation Ventures, said earlier.

Bin Shi, head of China Equities at UBS Asset Management, also acknowledged China's technological strides. "In certain fields, I think Chinese companies are already leading in the world, like 5G technology, e-commerce, fintech," he said.

This is echoed by the founder of Silicon Dragon Ventures Rebecca Fannin: "China is advancing more rapidly in the development of 5G and the rollout of 5G than other parts of the world."

And seeking a more stable supply chain is a natural result. This conforms to economic rules and is not exclusive to China. Western countries including the United States have gone through similar stages of development.

On the demand end, the middle-income class is rapidly expanding in China. According to Xinhua, the country is home to the world's largest middle-income group, consisting of some 400 million residents. The figure is a display of China's huge consumption growth.

"The average Chinese manufacturer now spends more time focusing on the Chinese market than they do on the global marketplace simply because the Chinese market is growing faster. That's the change," Jonathan Woetzel, director of McKinsey Global Institute, told CGTN.

"Dual circulation" is an economic response to the rapid changes China has experienced in recent years. It has nothing to do with a closed-door policy. Contrary to Western accusations, China is determined to open its market further. In the first 11 months of 2020, the country's foreign trade of goods totaled 29 trillion yuan ($4.4 trillion), up 1.8 percent year on year.

"I don't feel that China will be pulling back from the global market. I think they will be encouraging businesses to invest further into the China market," Steven Lynch, managing director of BritCham China, said.

"As EU-China relations experts, we believe that the dual circulation strategy will positively impact the business of many European companies," Frederic Baldan, CEO of Belgian consulting company CEBiz, noted.

Not long after "dual circulation" was unveiled, Beijing's determination to opening-up bred the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and China-EU Comprehensive Agreement on Investment. The deals are seen as a two-wheel drive for "external circulation."

The country has also added 127 items to an industry catalog that it will use to expand foreign investment. This is all good news for foreign businesses.

China's new development pattern is an economic must to satisfy its emerging needs in supply and demand chains. It doesn't mean shutting the door to foreign investment. The growing demand among middle-income groups is an opportunity for not only the domestic market, but also foreign trade.

Voices critical of the Chinese economy will never die. But China's response is evident in the example it sets – continuing and transparent efforts to further open up.

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at opinions@cgtn.com.)