China's Economic Growth Driven by Reforms and Modernization

Sun Jiwen, the former Chinese Ambassador to Gabon, spoke at a seminar in Beijing about the critical role of reforms and modernization in China's rapid economic development. He traced the country's historical challenges, including wars and external subjugation, and noted that the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949 marked a watershed moment.

Sun highlighted the first five-year economic development plan from 1953 to 1957, which focused on agriculture and industrialization. He credited former President Deng Xiaoping's 1978 reforms for opening China to foreign investment and initiating significant economic changes.

Sun mentioned that under President Xi Jinping, China has consolidated past reforms, lifting 100 million people out of absolute poverty by 2020. He projected that by 2035, China aims to achieve socialist modernization, with a vision to become a moderately developed country by 2050.

Sun also addressed the challenges posed by uneven development across regions and emphasized China's commitment to global peace and cooperation.