Ban Ki-moon praises China's 'phenomenal stride'

Former UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon has praised,China's 40 years of reform and opening-up, saying that "with great success, comes great responsibility".

In a recent interview with China Daily, Ban also said China's economic growth over the past 40 years is a "phenomenal stride".

In 1978 Chinese gross GDP accounted for two percent of the worldwide figure, whereas today the country's GDP takes a one-fifth share of the global total.

"It was possible only with the reform and future-oriented way of the Chinese leadership. In this regard, Chinese people and the government deserve praise," said Ban.

The former secretary-general additionally said the country has made a commitment to accept more international responsibility, for example through poverty eradication and deploying peacekeeping forces.

China's economic growth has lifted more than 700 million people out of absolute poverty, accounting for 70 percent of global poverty reduction during the period. Ban said China has greatly contributed to the reach of the UN Millennium Development Goals' primary goal.

Ban went on to praise China's contribution to UN peacekeeping pledges, saying that the country's contribution of troops to UN missions has helped improve world stability.