Reform and opening-up still the crucial choice: China Daily editorial

China will not stop its reform and opening-up. Reform and opening-up have brought China to where it is today, and China will only deepen its reforms and open its doors wider as it pursues its development.

While this is essential for the country to achieve its goals of realizing a moderately well-off society and national rejuvenation, it will also benefit the world.

In today's globalized world, China's development is closely related to that of other countries and vice versa. So its ongoing reform and opening-up will propel not just its own economic growth and social progress, but also contribute tremendously to the world economy as they will create fresh opportunities for the world.

An exhibition to mark the 40th anniversary of reform and opening-up this year opened in Beijing on Tuesday. It shows what this country has achieved over the past four decades, and demonstrates why China will continue to open up to the outside world. Speaking while visiting the exhibition, President Xi Jinping said that the country will implement the thought for a new era and follow the blueprint for the future that has been drawn up. Its deployment demonstrates the leadership's resolve to continue reform and opening-up and create advantageous conditions to realize their full potential.

As he said on Nov 5 in his speech at the opening of the import expo, history shows that openness and cooperation are the driving forces for dynamic international economic and trade activities.

That is not just because of how economic reform and opening-up have transformed China over the past four decades, but also because of what they have contributed to the world.

It is the reform and opening-up over the past 40 years that have made China's economy the ocean that it is, and Xi said that China will further tap its potential for imports, continue to widen access to its market and create a top class business environment, which promises even greater contributions to the prosperity of the world economy.

And as China continues to advance reforms, such as streamlining bureaucratic procedures and further opens up through initiatives such as the expansion of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, it hopes other countries will join it in opposing unilateralism and trade protectionism.

For, as Xi said, the practices of the law of the jungle and winner takes all are just dead end. Inclusive growth for all is surely the right way forward.