China's Development not Separated from Asia and World: Zhu Rongji

"21st Century Forum--Conference 2000" Opens in Beijing

Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji said in Beijing Wednesday that China can't develop without help from Asia and the world as a whole, and likewise Asia and the world need China for their own development.

Speaking at the 21st Century Forum -- Conference 2000, which opened Wednesday morning, Zhu said that it is significant that insightful people from various circles at home and abroad are attending the conference.

The Chinese government attaches great importance to views put forward by experts and friends from all circles at home and abroad, he said.

"Let's make active explorations, gain a better mutual understanding, increase exchange of views, enhance cooperation and build a better tomorrow," Zhu told the conference, which attracted over 500 participants, including statesmen and celebrities from nearly 20 countries.

The three-day conference, with the theme of "Economic Globalization -- Asia and China," is sponsored by the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

Li Ruihuan, chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, presided over today's opening ceremony.

In his address, the Chinese premier said that at this crucial historical juncture when mankind is entering the 21st century, the world is undergoing profound changes.

The scientific and technical revolution as represented by information technology is developing rapidly, international economic restructuring is picking up speed, and economic globalization is visibly accelerating.

"All countries are faced with new opportunities for and also stern challenges to their economic development," the Chinese premier said.

On the domestic economy, Zhu said that since the Asian financial crisis occurred, China's economy has withstood severe and complex tests of its strength, and still maintained relatively rapid growth. This year in particular, the country has taken an important turn for the better.

China's economic growth has accelerated, economic returns have improved notably, foreign trade has increased considerably, urban and rural consumption has risen steadily, revenue has gone up by a big margin, and foreign exchange reserves have continued to increase.

"All this shows that China's economy has freed itself from the impact of the Asian financial crisis and that it is moving toward a virtuous cycle," Zhu said.

The Chinese premier said that as the new century moves forward, China will enter a new stage of development for building a society in which people enjoy a fairly comfortable life and for basically achieving modernization.

In the face of the new situation featuring scientific and technological progress in the world and economic globalization, China's economic development in the next ten years will have the following characteristics: There will be strategic restructuring of the economy, economic restructuring will be deepened, the strategy of rejuvenating the nation by relying on science and education will be further implemented, and opening up to the outside world will be accelerated and expanded.

In his opening remarks to the conference, Ye Xuanping, vice- chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, said that the large attendance indicated the great importance that participants attached to economic globalization.

He expressed the belief that the conference will enhance mutual understanding between participants and lead to fruitful results.

Before the opening ceremony, Zhu met with participants from foreign countries as well as Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan.