Yves Leterme: My admiration goes to the opening of China re-engaging in the global economy, decided over 40 years ago, and to the unprecedented economic and social progress that has been made since then, year after year, to the benefit of all Chinese citizens and to the benefit of the whole world. Amongst the key elements that led and still lead to this literally outstanding performance are the interpenetration and interconnection of the Chinese and other economies worldwide. This interpenetration and interconnection translated in increased foreign direct investment, in shared technological progress, more trade, mutualized access to export and import-markets, etc.

China has over the last decades by means of its unprecedented successful economic and social development acted as the most important engine of worldwide economic growth and progress.

President Xi Jinping has in the recent past several times strongly expressed his willingness to contribute to strengthening again true multilateralism.Let us hope this can become reality and can open the way for a more balanced world, and make an efficient answer to the global challenges possible.

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at opinions@cgtn.com. Follow @thouse_opinions on Twitter to discover the latest commentaries in the CGTN Opinion Section.)