Keynote Speech by H.E. Liu Yantao

Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to

The Republic of Cyprus

At the Workshop on

The Two Sessions: A Window on China

21 March 2024

On March 11, the Two Sessions, a vital meeting for the Chinese people held in every spring, came to a successful conclusion. It is an important window for the world to observe and understand China. This year, more than 3,000 domestic and foreign journalists covered the event. In order to help Cypriot friends better understand China, I would like to give you a briefing on the Two Sessions with “three windows” as the keyword.

The Two Sessions is an important window to understand Chinese democracy.

The concept of “democracy” first originated from ancient Greece. In the evolution of world civilizations for thousands of years, different countries have developed different democratic models according to their own national conditions and cultures. China is no exception. We have also formed our own democratic system after trials and tribulations. The Two Sessions, namely the annual session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the annual session of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), is a concrete example of Chinese democracy.

The people’s congress system is the fundamental political system of China. All powers in China belong to the people. The bodies where the people exercise state power are the NPC and local people’s congresses, which are democratically elected by, accountable to and supervised by the people. The state administrative, trial and prosecution bodies are all produced by, accountable to and supervised by the people’s congresses. It is worth noting that deputies to the people’s congresses don’t leave their original posts after being elected. They continue to work and live with the people. In this way, they may truly and directly channel the people’s aspirations.

The system of multiparty cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) is a basic political system in China. It also represents China’s new political party system. The CPPCC is an important institution for the CPC-led multiparty cooperation and political consultation. The CPC is the only governing party in China. Eight democratic parties cooperate with the CPC, participate in the administration and deliberation of state affairs, and play a supervisory role. Under the CPC’s leadership, representatives of democratic parties, people’s organizations, ethnic minorities and all sectors of society hold consultations on the country’s major policies and important political, economic, cultural and social issues, with the aim of seeking maximum common ground and building the broadest possible consensus.

These two systems, with their broad representation and sufficient equality, are important carriers of Chinese democracy. At the just-concluded Two Sessions, more than 5,000 NPC deputies and CPPCC members gathered to discuss state affairs. NPC deputies approved documents such as the Report on the Work of the Government and the Report on the Work of the NPC Standing Committee. CPPCC members had in-depth discussions on reports such the Report on the Work of the Government, and carefully reviewed documents such as the overall work report and the proposal work report of the CPPCC Standing Committee.

At the Two Sessions, front-line workers and peasants account for 16.69% of NPC deputies, and non-CPC members account for 60.8% of CPPCC members. More front-line industrial workers, teachers in rural areas, democratic party members and people without party affiliation have made proposals based on the views and suggestions of people from different places and sectors of the country. They have helped build strong links between the central government and the ordinary people, so that issues that the people care most about can be highlighted, discussed and resolved at the national level.

President Xi Jinping said, “Democracy is not an ornament to be put on display, but an instrument to address people’s real concerns.” Democracy takes various forms, with no one-size-fits-all standard. In terms of whether the people enjoy democratic rights, we need to see not only whether they have the right to vote in elections, but also whether they have the right to participate continuously and comprehensively in the daily political, economic and social lives. In addition, we need to see whether they have the right to democratic decision making, democratic administration and democratic supervision.

Ironically, some country is beset with money politics and incessant infighting at home and waving its stick of hegemonism and power politics abroad. Yet this country is bent on using “democracy” as an excuse to piece together the so-called “Alliance of Values” and provoke bloc confrontation. Such actions pose serious threats to global peace, stability and security.

In contrast, China has been taking solid steps to develop democracy. The Two Sessions tells the world a captivating story of China’s all-round, whole-process people’s democracy. It also provides inspirations for other countries to take a development path befitting their own national conditions.

The Two Sessions is an important window to understand China’s economy.

The Two Sessions sends important information on China’s economy.

First, China’s economy has sustained the momentum of recovery and improvement. Last year, China’s GDP increased by 5.2% to reach over 126 trillion yuan, with economic increment amounting to the total economic output of a medium-sized country. China remains the largest engine of world economy, contributing about one third of global growth. This year, China’s economic growth target is set at about 5%, which is in line with the annual requirements of the 14th Five-Year Plan and basically matches our growth potential. It is a target that can be achieved with hard efforts.

Since the beginning of this year, positive economic factors are building up in China. For example, in January and February, the total value of China’s trade in goods was 6.61 trillion yuan, up 8.7%. In February, the Manufacturing Production and Business Expectation Index was 54.2%, remaining in the expansionary territory. Cultural and tourism consumption was robust, with the number of Spring Festival holiday tourists rising 34.3% year-on-year. On such basis, China’s economy is expected to achieve a good start in the first quarter.

Second, the new quality productive forces have given strong boost to high-quality development. 

The Report on the Work of the Government stresses accelerating the development of new quality productive forces, which means an advanced form of productivity that is spearheaded by innovation and different from the traditional economic growth model. It features high technology, high efficiency and high quality, and conforms to the new development philosophy.

At the moment, China’s new quality productive forces are developing by leaps and bounds. China accounts for over 60% of the world’s production and sales of new energy vehicles, and nearly 50% of the world’s photovoltaic electricity capacity and digital payment. The mileage of high-speed rail in China exceeds that of other countries combined. Our export of electric vehicles, lithium batteries and solar PV products has exceeded one trillion yuan.

Going forward, China will rely on the development of new quality productive forces to transform traditional industries, develop emerging industries and future industries, so as to provide sustained impetus for economic growth.

Third, the door of China’s higher-standard opening up is opening wider and wider. The Report on the Work of the Government stresses pursuing higher-standard opening up and promoting mutual benefits. China has taken the initiative to meet high-standard international rules for economy and trade. Our overall tariff has been lowered to the level of developed country members of WTO; the negative list of foreign investment access has been reduced to less than 31 items; foreign access to our manufacturing sector has been fully liberalized; and the opening of our service sector has been accelerated.

In the past five years, the FDI rate of return in China has been 9.1%. Last year, nearly 54,000 foreign-invested firms were newly established in China, a year-on-year increase of 39.7%. Many multinational companies have increased their presence in China, reflecting the international community’s confidence in our market vitality and sustained economic development.

Fourth, multiple unique strengths support the continued improvement of China’s economic fundamentals in the future:

The institutional strength of the socialist market economy. Our economic system promotes better interplay between an efficient market and a well-functioning government. Importantly, we attach great importance to making long-term plans, for example, the 14th Five-Year Plan is being implemented. This helps ensure the stability and continuity of macro policies and promote sustainable economic development.

The strength of vast market demand. China’s per capita GDP exceeds 12,000 US dollars. We have a middle-income group of more than 400 million people. The number may reach 800 million in the next decade or so, forming a huge and promising domestic market.

The strength of a complete industrial system. With 41 industrial categories, China is the only country in the world that has all the industrial categories listed in the UN industrial classification, forming a full-fledged industrial system.

The strength of a large number of high-quality workers and entrepreneurs. China boasts the world’s largest public education system, which produces the biggest number of graduates in STEM subjects. Our huge population presents a large pool of talents.

All these strengths ensure the sustained and sound development of the Chinese economy.

The Two Sessions is an important window to understand China’s foreign policy.

It is pointed out in the Report on the Work of the Government that “We will stay committed to an independent foreign policy of peace and to peaceful development. We will remain firm in pursuing a strategy of opening up for mutual benefit. We call for an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and we are committed to promoting a new type of international relations. We will remain firm in opposing all hegemonic, high-handed, and bullying acts and in upholding international fairness and justice. China is ready to pursue the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative with other members of the international community so as to promote the common values of humanity, reform the global governance system, and build a community with a shared future for mankind.”

Dear Cypriot friends,

We are well aware that China’s development is closely linked to the external environment and the future of humanity. The Chinese government is dedicated to pursuing happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation. It is also dedicated to human progress and world harmony. In this changing and turbulent international environment, China will remain a staunch force for peace, stability and progress of the world. In this connection, let me share with you some of the basic positions and propositions of China’s foreign policy.

First, one lofty objective, that is to build a community with a shared future for mankind. This objective is put forward by President Xi Jinping, presenting China’s approach on what kind of world to build and how to build it. It reflects the Chinese Communists’ worldview, perception of order, and values. It is also the theme of China’s foreign policy. It aims to build an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world that enjoys lasting peace, universal security and common prosperity. Over the past decade or so, building a community with a shared future for mankind has developed from a concept to a scientific system, from a Chinese initiative to an international consensus, and from a promising vision to practical outcomes, showing strong vitality.

Second, the two major propositions. In response to the major problems and challenges in today’s world, China advocates an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. This sets the direction for advancing peace and development in the world and building a community with a shared future for mankind.

An equal multipolar world means equal rights, equal opportunities, and equal rules for every nation. It is unacceptable that certain countries must be at the table while others can only be on the menu. 

An orderly multipolar world means that all countries should abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, adhere to the universally recognized basic norms of international relations, and act within the UN-centered international system.

Universally beneficial globalization means growing the economic pie and sharing it more fairly, so that all nations, social groups, and communities will be able to take part in economic and social development and share the benefits. 

Inclusive globalization means supporting countries in pursuing a development path suited to their own national conditions. Unilateralism and protectionism must be discarded to keep the global industrial and supply chains stable and unimpeded, and to sustain the robust and dynamic growth of the world economy.

Third, the three major initiatives. China has put forward the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI) and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI). They are China’s proposals for improving global governance and coping with world changes. They also provide strategic guidance and pathway for the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

The GDI focuses on issues related to the survival and sustainable development of humanity as well as the modernization of countries. It aims to address the global development deficit and points the way for global development cooperation.

The GSI focuses on issues related to war and peace, conflict and stability. It provides reference for dealing with global security challenges and feasible paths for solving international hotspot issues.

The GCI focuses on issues related to estrangement and misunderstanding, inclusiveness and mutual trust. It advocates the common values of humanity, seeks the maximum common ground and builds consensus on exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations.

Fourth, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). It follows the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, and promotes hard connectivity, soft connectivity and heart connectivity of participating countries. It is a practical platform for the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Over the past decade or so since its inception, the BRI has benefited more than 150 countries, including Cyprus, and opened up a road of cooperation, opportunity and prosperity with the purpose of achieving common development. It has become the most popular international public good and the largest international cooperation platform in the world.

Last year, the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation was successfully held. During the Forum, President Xi Jinping announced eight steps to support the high-quality development of Belt and Road cooperation. He also proposed that all countries need to work together to realize global modernization with peaceful development, mutually beneficial cooperation and common prosperity. This points the way for the high-quality development of Belt and Road cooperation.

Fifth, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, which was set out 70 years ago. The five principles are: mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence. They are the cornerstones of China’s foreign policy. They have also surpassed the differences in social system and ideology and become the basic norms of international relations and the basic principles of international law. They are vital to establishing a more just and equitable international political and economic order, and to building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Regarding China-EU relations, last year was the 20th anniversary of the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership. The two sides have relaunched exchanges and dialogue across the board at all levels. In fact, China and Europe do not have clashing fundamental interests, or geopolitical and strategic conflicts. Their common interests far outweigh their differences. In the context of China-EU relations, the two sides should be characterized rightly as partners. Cooperation should be the defining feature of the relationship, autonomy its key value, and win-win its future. In today’s world, as long as China and Europe engage in mutually beneficial cooperation, no attempt to create bloc confrontation will succeed; as long as China and Europe stay committed to openness and win-win, deglobalization will not prevail.

Regarding the China-Cyprus relationship, I am glad to say that it is achieving all-round growth.

In terms of political mutual trust, President Xi Jinping has maintained sound interactions with President Christodoulides. The two countries have always firmly supported each other on issues concerning each other’s core interests and major concerns, and adhered to the one-China principle and the one-Cyprus principle.

In terms of practical cooperation, the China-Cyprus trade volume was close to 1 billion US dollars last year, of which Cyprus export to China increased by 11.4% year-on-year. Chinese companies have given strong boost to the green and digital transformation of Cyprus.

In terms of people-to-people and cultural exchanges, the Nicosia Book Fest with China as the country of honor was successfully held last year. Probably many of you have attended and enjoyed it. Frequent exchanges and mutual visits have been carried out between local, media, university and youth groups of the two countries. Chinese and Cypriot people are as close as brothers and sisters.

Going forward, China is ready to work with Cyprus to enrich the strategic partnership, and further consolidate the foundation of political commitment, economic interests and mutual perception that supports our partnership. We would like to join hands with Cyprus to build a community with a shared future for mankind.