The National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) held a press conference on Saturday afternoon, one day ahead of the top political advisory body's annual session. China-U.S. ties amid trade talks, questions from Western media about the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and ways to celebrate the advisory body's 70th anniversary were all discussed during the briefing.

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Highlights: CPPCC spokesperson briefs media on trade talks, China's image, other key issues

Progress in China-U.S. economic, trade consultations

The positive progress in the latest round of China-U.S. economic and trade consultations is welcome, said Guo Weimin, spokesperson for the second session of the 13th National Committee of the CPPCC.

Reaching a mutually beneficial agreement as soon as possible will not only benefit both countries, but also be good news for the world economy. The latest round of consultations in Washington was held under the guidance of the important consensus reached by the presidents of the two countries during their Argentina meeting, and both sides have focused on issues of mutual concern, Guo said.

"Substantial progress has been made on such specific issues as technology transfer, protection of intellectual property rights, non-tariff barriers, service industry, agriculture and exchange rates," he added.

Both sides have vowed to enhance communication following the principle and direction set by the two heads of state and continue their work for the next stage, Guo said.

BRI brings development, hope instead of 'debt trap'

The BRI has brought development and hope to participants, instead of a "debt trap" or "regional hegemonism," Guo said. "It's totally ungrounded calling the Belt and Road Initiative a 'debt trap'."

China's investments in related countries mainly went to infrastructure projects, which will facilitate local development in the long term, he said, adding the debt problems of some developing countries were created by complicated historical reasons.

The initiative has promoted local economic development and been welcomed by more and more countries along the Belt and Road, Guo said, noting that over 100 countries and international organizations had actively supported and participated in the initiative by the end of last year.

China upholds peace and cooperation as well as the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits when promoting development of the initiative, he said, adding the initiative has won the support and acclaim of the leaders and peoples of participating countries.

"The initiative has nothing to do with 'regional hegemonism,'" Guo said. "With the initiative progressing, China is winning more and more friends."

Continue advancing Greater Bay Area development

The CPPCC will keep actively advancing the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Guo said, adding the advisory body will give full play to its advantages to actively promote the implementation of the Greater Bay Area's outline plan.

Political advisors will hold group discussions on developing the Greater Bay Area during this year's "Two Sessions," Guo said, adding that more activities, including field research and symposiums, will be conducted in the year to pool wisdom and build consensus on the issue. 

As the year 2019 marks the 20th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland, Guo said Macao has achieved remarkable development achievements. 

On the process of full participation in the BRI, Macao has not only become a cooperative bridge for Sino-Portuguese friendship, but also has built an important platform for cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, Guo noted.

Mobile platform facilitates consultative democracy

While stressing that the CPPCC system has grown more mature, Guo said China will hold a series of activities this year to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the CPPCC, noting online consultation has brought in more participants and enabled more interactions and more in-depth discussions.

The activities include holding related conferences and exhibitions, enhancing theoretical research on the CPPCC and producing CPPCC-themed publications and documentaries, he said.

"Focusing on the Party and country's key tasks, the CPPCC is playing an increasingly important role in political consultation, democratic oversight and participation in and deliberation of state affairs," he noted.

During the briefing, Guo also said a mobile platform, which enables political advisors to make advice and join online discussions, has effectively facilitated China's consultative democracy.

More than 1,400 political advisors have participated in discussions via the app since its was launched in August last year to help them better fulfill their duties, he said, adding a total of 106 pieces of advice have been summed up by the general office of the CPPCC National Committee from those discussions.

Resolutely fight against pollution

Domestically, Guo said China is on track to become moderately prosperous society in all respects by 2020.

On environmental governance, Guo called to resolutely fight the battle against pollution, while saying the task is still difficult for now.

Environmental governance and economic development are not contradictory, he said.

Environmental governance is conducive to creating a healthier and more equitable development environment, facilitating the transformation and upgrading of industrial structure and promoting high-quality economic development, he added.

When asked about China's image, Guo said China has made historic progress. Some people have different views and some feel threatened – there are deliberate smear campaigns by some. 

The international community is paying greater attention to us, Guo said. "We are facing challenges in international communication – we need to tell China's story better."

(Cover: Guo Weimin, spokesperson of the second session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), attends a press conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, March 2, 2019. /Xinhua Photo)

 (With input from Xinhua News Agency)

(CGTN's Nathan King also contributed to the story.)