In a recent gathering in Nairobi, the head of the Secretariat of the ruling Jubilee party in Kenya, Raphael Tuju said, 40 years ago, the per capita GDP in Kenya was nearly 300 US dollars, while that of the Chinese was about 150 US dollars, leaving it 50 percent less than their Kenyan counterpart.

Today, the comparison remains as impressive, but the opposite is true. He emphasized that the current per capita GDP of the Chinese reaches almost 9,000 US dollars, 55 times of that in 1978, and much larger than the Kenyan figure of 1,500 US dollars.

October 1, 2018, marks the 69th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. This year also celebrates the 40th anniversary of the country's reform and opening up policy initiated in 1978. 

It's time to review what the Chinese have achieved and look into future to see what China intends to accomplish both domestically and internationally. In another word, what kind of power does the Chinese intend to have, and what role will China play around the globe?

Nation building has been the top priority of the Chinese. For example, it has lifted some 800 million people out of poverty during the past 40 years, a feat unprecedented in human history in terms of scale and speed. In a similar vein, China has become the world's second largest economy, contributing some 30 percent of the global economic growth, in recent years. China is also the largest trading partner of some 120 countries and regions around the world.

The near-term goal, as noted during the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China last year, is the eradication of poverty in rural areas in 2020.

By the year 2035, China will achieve basic modernization in both the social and economic sense where it will be a leading force in innovation with the rule of law and a large middle-income group. And by 2050, China will be a great modern power, with common prosperity for everyone. 

The objectives are set, but the path to achieving them will be “no walk in the park” and takes more than “drum beating and gong clanging” as warned by Chinese President Xi Jinping. 

For example, with the rise of nationalism, the global multilateral trading system is under attack. Countries like the United States turn to protectionism by imposing punitive tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico, Japan, China, Russia and the European Union.

Despite trade frictions with the United States, China remains an attractive market for global investors. Exxon Mobil Corp has recently signed a preliminary deal, worth billions of US dollars, to build a petrochemical complex and invest in a liquefied natural gas terminal in China. German chemical giant BASF and Tesla have recently taken similar moves.

If there's one thing in common in those decisive steps, it's their confidence in the growing Chinese market, which is predicted to overtake the US to become largest in the world.

Externally, China promotes the Belt and Road Initiative to build roads, ports, and bridges to facilitate a free trade to create jobs and spur economic growth. In short, China is a builder. 

A builder, instead of a disruptor. That's something worth celebrating not only inside China but also around the globe.

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