Understanding China Conference: Meeting aims to promote int'l communication & cooperation

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02:40

Opening China up further to the rest of the world starts with dialogue. It's precisely the idea behind the third Understanding China Conference. Participants from across the globe gathered in Beijing to talk about China's new growth drivers and new opportunities for global communication and cooperation. More now from CGTN's Zheng Yibing.

Forging a deeper understanding between China and the rest of the world. International guests at the third Understanding China Conference in Beijing praised the strides the nation has made over the last 40 years.

GRAHAM ALLISON PROFESSOR, HARVARD UNIVERSITY "There are a hundred miracles but one that I am most impressed by is China's success in essentially eliminating extreme poverty. So in 1978, 90% of Chinese tried to survive barely with less than 2 dollars a day. Today, that number is only 1 percent."

Experts hail that as an accomplishment for China and for the whole world, with some hoping for more, and deeper links with China.

ROBERT M. HERTZBERG (D) SENATOR, CALIFORNIA (USA) "I think we need to work more with sub-national levels, with government to be able to build that level of understanding."

This year's conference coincides with the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the People's Republic of China and the US. And amid the current China-US trade tensions, all participants expressed concern, hoping that everything can soon get back on track.

DAWN NAKAGAWA EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, THE BERGGRUEN INSTITUTE "Sometimes, a crisis forces a dialogue and it seems it has in this case, for the next 90 days, I think March 1st is gonna be much discussion and much negotiation and much dialogue so maybe that's an opportunity for things to get better."

PASCAL LAMY FORMER WTO DIRECTOR-GENERAL "The right approach is let's sit around the table. That's what Europe is trying to do, discuss how the rules of WTO can be modernized and updated."

Some say that all nations should pursue deeper cooperation, instead of confrontation.

GORDON BROWN FORMER UK PRIME MINISTER "It is this inter-dependence based on global supply chains that this idea about a community of interest and shared future should be developed."

This third Understanding China Conference builds on the goals of the first two and shows China's wishes for the future.

ZHENG YIBING BEIJING "The conference hopes to convey a message to the world that China remains committed to reform and opening-up, and will stay firmly on a path of peaceful development and win-win cooperation. Zheng Yibing, CGTN, Beijing."