China boosts development, mutual benefits

The nation will host four major international events this year, as Zhang Yunbi reports.

China is honoring its commitment to boost reciprocity and mutual benefits with the world as it offers a slew of original ideas and fresh action for the four major diplomatic events it will host this year, according to senior diplomats and experts.

The insiders, who are also political advisers attending the ongoing two sessions－the annual meetings of the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference－made the comments as the world's second-largest economy marks the 40th anniversary of the start of the reform and opening-up policy.

This year, China will host the annual conference of the Boao Forum for Asia, the Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, and the China International Import Expo.

The gatherings will be spread across the year and will cover all four seasons, and the Government Work Report delivered by Premier Li Keqiang on Monday requested that all efforts be made to ensure they are successful.

Li Baodong, vice-foreign minister, said preparations for the events are progressing smoothly and the global community has responded warmly, with many countries consulting with and contacting Beijing.

"We take hosting these events very seriously, and they will be wonderful. We are full of confidence in this regard," Li said.

New contributions will be made by the nation toward building a new kind of international relations as well as "the Community of Shared Future for Mankind", he added, referring to one of President Xi Jinping's signature concepts.

"I believe all four diplomatic events will achieve bumper harvests and great success."

Li Ruiyu, ambassador to Italy, noted that this year marks not only the first opportunity for translating into reality the blueprint rolled out by the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in October, but also the fifth anniversary of the proposal of the Belt and Road Initiative in 2013.

"The transformation and upgrading of China's economy has started a locomotive of growth opportunities for a number of countries, and China's all-out opening-up signals the pathway to greater opportunities," he said.