In his New Year address on Tuesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping highlighted the nation's unwavering commitment to high-quality development in 2024. This year marks a pivotal moment as China advances significant reforms that have been instrumental in the country's achievements over the past year.
Reform has been a cornerstone of China's strategy, reflecting the central leadership's determination to enhance the socialist system with Chinese characteristics while modernizing governance. The third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in July set the stage for these transformative efforts, outlining over 300 specific measures aimed at various sectors including the economy, culture, social development, ecological sustainability, national security, and governance capacity.
Implementing these reforms is being approached with a \"hammer-and-nail\" strategy to ensure targets are met efficiently. The Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee has laid out comprehensive plans to boost consumption, expand domestic demand, nurture emerging industries, and promote high-standard opening-up. These initiatives aim to address pressing economic challenges and foster sustainable growth.
One of the standout achievements highlighted by President Xi was the production of over 10 million new energy vehicles in a single year, showcasing China's advancements in new business sectors and technological innovation.
To support the plenum's vision, the government has introduced a series of reform-focused documents and legislative measures. These include the gradual extension of the statutory retirement age, enhanced support for the private sector, and the restructuring of local government debt, all designed to create a more resilient and dynamic economy.
China's opening-up policies have also garnered significant international attention. Recent changes include the extension of transit visas from 72 and 144 hours to 240 hours for travelers from select countries. Additionally, starting November 30, nine more countries have been added to the visa-free list. Passport holders from 38 countries can now stay in China for up to 30 days without a visa for purposes such as business, tourism, family visits, exchange visits, and transit, further strengthening China's global connectivity.
As China continues to implement these comprehensive reforms, the nation is poised to achieve sustained growth and deeper integration into the global economy, positioning itself as a leader in high-quality development and innovation.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
