Beijing – As the Chinese mainland’s 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) draws to a close, CGTN's Séan Doherty hit the streets of Beijing to ask foreigners from entrepreneurs to digital nomads to sum up five years of economic transformation in just one word. Their answers? A snapshot of an economy in motion.
Innovation: "The tech hubs in Shenzhen and Beijing feel electric," says Aisha, a Nigerian entrepreneur. "I’ve never seen such rapid tech adoption."
Digitalization: Marco, a Spanish digital nomad, points to QR-code payments and AI-driven services. "Cashless is king here."
Sustainability: Lin, a British environmental researcher, highlights the surge in green energy projects across Inner Mongolia and Guangdong. "Wind farms and solar parks are reshaping the landscape."
Connectivity: Maria, a Brazilian traveler, notes the high-speed rail. "Traveling between cities at 300 km/h? It’s a game-changer."
Resilience: Abdul, a Pakistani student at Peking University, praises the economy’s ability to adapt through global uncertainties. "It’s like watching a giant recalibrate in real time."
Together, these keywords tell a story of an economy balancing growth, openness and sustainability. Over the past five years, the digital sector alone has contributed to nearly 30% of GDP growth, while renewable energy capacity doubled under national directives.
As the Chinese mainland prepares its next Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), these voices underscore hope for continued collaboration and innovation. For young global citizens, business enthusiasts, changemakers and travelers, the outlook remains vibrant: the next chapter is ready to be written.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
