Targeting the US, Emphasizing Reform, Opening, and Cooperation
Integrated Development Linking Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and Macao under One Country, Two Systems
[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the '40th Anniversary Ceremony of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone' held in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province on the 14th, emphasizing the attitude of reform, opening-up, and cooperation.
President Xi stated that the world has fallen into chaos due to the COVID-19 pandemic, protectionism, and unilateralism.
President Xi emphasized that "international trade and investment have been drastically reduced" and that "the world is going through a period of turmoil."
He continued, "China has gone through a period of rapid economic growth and is moving toward a stage of high-quality development," diagnosing that "there are still many twists and turns in strengthening the economic structure and achieving high-quality development." He added, "New circumstances require new approaches," and reiterated, "We must not stop reform and opening-up, and must promote reform and opening-up at a higher level."
Regarding the 40th anniversary of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone, President Xi highly praised it, saying it "has provided China with ten valuable experiences."
He stated, "Shenzhen has presented the correct development direction for special economic zones, adhered to the socialist system with Chinese characteristics, and maintained a definite path for China's development," emphasizing that "comprehensive external opening-up and innovation, fair judiciary, comprehensive harmony between economic development and the environment, and the One Country, Two Systems policy are also valuable experiences gained through the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone."
Regarding cooperation with Hong Kong and Macao, President Xi stressed, "Based on the One Country, Two Systems principle, the mainland, Hong Kong, and Macao should integrate development and mutually promote each other."
In particular, President Xi added that the linkage between Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao is a major national development strategy, and that mechanisms for economic operation in these regions should be promoted and markets strengthened.
President Xi's attendance at this commemorative ceremony is interpreted as an intention to promote China’s achievements in economic normalization after stabilizing COVID-19 to the outside world, and to reaffirm to the international community China’s commitment to opening-up in response to the protectionist policies pursued by the United States.
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