China's economic performance last year and its development trend this year have attracted attention at home and abroad. Some people have a tendency to focus on the data indicating a downward trend in economic growth, leading to pessimism.

In fact, China's current economic development is not as bad as some make out; there are reasons to be optimistic about the future.

Firstly, China's economy in 2014 continued to achieve steady growth in the new normal and remained within a reasonable range. The structure has been further optimized, and now appears sturdy, with ample potential and greater room for maneuver. In particular, with the implementation of a series of iconic and critical reform measures, there have been breakthroughs in a number of important areas.

Secondly, China became a net exporter of capital in 2014, with overseas investment reaching 140 billion US dollars and surpassing foreign direct investment in China for the first time. This change indicates that China has an increasingly powerful voice in the globalized economic value chain.

Thirdly, although some Chinese provinces and cities have lowered their economic growth forecasts, this action is intended to allow more "breathing space" to local governments. They can direct more energy to solving problems carried over from the rapid development of previous years and create a favorable situation for future sustainable development.

China is a country full of optimism. It is hard work and Chinese-style optimism that have completed the leap in economic and social development in the 30 years of reform and opening up. We now have more reasons than ever to remain optimistic, because optimism is also a kind of productivity.

Recently, the internationally renowned scholar Charles Kenny published an article saying that positive thinking is economic power. He believes that to advocate optimism is more conductive to economic development than the pessimism around the current world economic downturn.

China is more involved in the formulation of international rules and is integrating into the world economy with a more open attitude. Therefore, it is reasonable to continue to maintain optimism for the country's future, and use "Chinese -style optimism" to fuel growth.

This article was edited and translated from 《“中国式乐观”也可转化为增长动力》,source: PLA Daily, author: Liu Zhiqin, senior researcher at Chongyang Institute for Financial Services at Renming University of China.