On September 28th, The Hindu published a special page about the National Day of China. The special page contained Ambassador Luo Zhaohui's National Day Message and brief introduction to the four major diplomatic events in China this year, the accomplishments during 40 years of China's Reform and Opening-up, the Belt and Road Initiative, and a blueprint for turning China into a great modern socialist country in all respects.

1. Ambassador's Message

On the occasion of the forthcoming 69th National Day of the People's Republic of China, on behalf of the Chinese Embassy in India, I would like to express my best wishes to my country for further progress and prosperity.

The world this year is developing under the threat of protectionism and uncertainty. Chinese economy has played an important and positive role in the world economy against downward pressure. China's GDP grew 6.9 percent and totaled 82.71 trillion yuan (about $12.84 trillion) last year. It kept steady growth and expanded 6.8 percent year on year in the first half of 2018, as continued restructuring efforts provided resilience and impetus. China contributed more than 30 percent of global growth for the past 5 years. What's more, in the next 15 years, China is expected to import $24 trillion in goods and invest $2 trillion overseas, which will offer great market opportunities for all countries in the world including India.

This year also witnesses more positive development and atmosphere of China-India relations. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have met for3 times and will have their fourth meeting during the upcoming G20 summit. The Wuhan informal summit is a milestone in the history of bilateral relations, creating a new model of engagement between the two leaders. With the guidance of Wuhan consensus, we have brought our relations back on the right track with joint efforts and had frequent high-level exchanges. The Chinese Defense Minister has visited India and Minister for Public Security will be here soon. The Special Representatives' Meeting on Boundary Question and the first meeting of high-level people-to-people and cultural exchange mechanism will be held later this year.

It is important to implement the consensus of leaders and transmit their personal friendship down to the people. During my two years in India, I visited 17 states/Union Territories. I felt the strong amity of Indian people from all walks of life. There are many Chinese people devoted to strengthening our cooperation. Over 800 Chinese companies are investing and doing business in India, creating over one lakh local jobs. Our people share the same value of harmony and peace, which stems from our inter-linked historical roots.

As the two largest developing countries and major emerging markets, China and India are also joining hands to explore a new model for regional cooperation, uphold multilateral trading system and WTO rules, champion economic globalization and strive for a more just and rational international order.

The Dragon and the Elephant should dance together rather than rivaling with each other. China is ready to carry forward the fresh impetus and endeavor to open new prospects in China-India relations.

2. Main Highlights of China's Diplomacy in 2018

Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference took place in Hainan in April with the theme of "An Open and Innovative Asia for a World of Greater Prosperity."President Xi Jinping stressed China's reform and opening-up had "not only profoundly changed the country but also greatly influenced the whole world"; "people around the world will work together toward this community with a shared future for mankind and make Asia and the world peaceful, tranquil, prosperous, open and beautiful."

Shanghai Cooperation Organization Qingdao Summit was held in Qingdao of Shandong Province in June. As the first summit after SCO membership expansion, Qingdao Summit adopted Qingdao Declaration and mapped out new blueprint for SCO future development. President Xi Jinping stressed that "SCO enjoys strong vitality and momentum of cooperation. This, in the final analysis, is attributed to the Shanghai Spirit, a creative vision initiated and followed through by the SCO that champions mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diversity of civilizations and pursuit of common development. The Shanghai Spirit, transcending outdated concepts such as clash of civilizations, Cold War and zero-sum mentality, has opened a new page in the history of international relations and gained increasing endorsement of the international community."

Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Summit 2018 was held in September with the theme of "China and Africa: Toward an Even Stronger Community with a Shared Future through Win-Win Cooperation". The Beijing Declaration and the FOCAC Beijing Action Plan were adopted. President Xi Jinping stressed "China values sincerity, friendship and equality in pursuing cooperation";"We follow a "five-no" approach in our relations with Africa: no interference in African countries' pursuit of development paths that fit their national conditions; no interference in African countries' internal affairs; no imposition of our will on African countries; no attachment of political strings to assistance to Africa; and no seeking of selfish political gains in investment and financing cooperation with Africa. "

China International Import Expo (CIIE), the world's first import-themed national-level expo, will be held in Shanghai in November. At the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2018, President Xi Jinping said: "It is not just another expo in an ordinary sense, but a major policy initiative and commitment taken of our own accord to open up the Chinese market. Friends from around the world are welcome to participate in the Expo."

3. Reform and Opening up Breaking New Ground for China

This year marks the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening up, which ushered in a new stage of development and brought about China's growth miracle.

From rural areas to cities, from pilot programs to nationwide projects, from economic restructuring to the comprehensive deepening of reform, the past four decades have witnessed "epic progress" and historic leaps for an old country.

China has grown into the world's second largest economy, the largest industrial producer, the largest trader of goods, and the holder of the largest foreign exchange reserves. Over the past 40 years, China's GDP has averaged an annual growth of around 9.5%, reached $12.84 trillion in 2017 with a per-capita GDP of $8,836. By lifting over 700 million people out of poverty, China has contributed greatly to the global fight against poverty.

Chinese people have emerged from a life of shortages and poverty and are now enjoying abundant supply and a moderately prosperous life. Urban per-capita disposable income increased to $5,245 in 2017 from $199 in 1978, while rural per-capita net income rose to $1,952 from $77. The number of rural and urban jobs in the country totaled 776 million at the end of 2017, up 93 percent from 1978.

China has been actively integrating with the world economy and constantly expanding its opening up. Its foreign trade has registered an annual growth of 14.5 percent in U.S. dollar term. China's foreign goods trade volume moved up from 29th worldwide in 1978 to the top place in 2013. In 2017, China's goods imports and exports surpassed $4 trillion, accounting for 11.5 percent of the global sum, up from 0.8 percent in 1978. China's service trade volume climbed from 34th worldwide in 1982 to second place in 2014. In 2017, service imports and exports amounted to almost $700 billion, accounting for 6.7 percent of the world's total.

China's outbound direct investment (ODI) rose from 28th globally in 1982 to second place in 2016. In 2017, China's ODI hit $124.6 billion. Foreign direct investment (FDI) in China rose from 122nd worldwide in 1979 to second place in 2013 and saw an average annual growth rate of 46.1 percent from 1979 to 2017. In 2017, China's FDI stood at $131 billion.

China has comprehensively fulfilled its commitments to the WTO. As of 2010, China had already delivered on all of its tariff reduction commitments, lowering the overall tariff level from 15.3 percent in 2001 to 9.8 percent in 2010. In 2015, China's trade-weighted average tariff was reduced to 4.4 percent, fairly close to 2.4 percent of US and 3 percent of EU.

As a beneficiary, active participant and contributor of globalization, China will remain committed to its path of reform and opening-up, continue with its non-stop efforts to streamline administration, lower taxes and reduce fees, enhance policy transparency, and strengthen the protection of intellectual property rights. China will also further align its business environment with international economic and trade rules, significantly broaden market access, take the initiative to expand imports, encourage competition and oppose monopoly, and create more opportunities for itself and the world.

4. Belt and Road Turns Five: Facts and Figures

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in the autumn of 2013. As a project for economic cooperation and an open, inclusive process, it serves to promote policy coordination, facilities connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration and people-to-people bonds, adhering to the principle of achieving shared growth through discussion and collaboration.

5. New Era on the Road to 2050

The 19th National Congress of Communist Party of China (CPC) held last October ushered socialism with Chinese characteristics into a new era and drew a blueprint for turning China into a great modern socialist country in all respects.

CPC developed the vision that by the time the Party celebrates its centenary, the Chinese society will have been developed into a moderately prosperous one. After this, with another 30 years of work, and by the time we celebrate the centenary of the People's Republic of China, we will have basically achieved modernization and turned China into a modern socialist country.

The period between now and 2020 will be decisive. China will make solid efforts to win the "three tough battles" of forestalling and defusing major risks, carrying out targeted poverty alleviation, and preventing and controlling pollution.

To defuse major risks, the focus is to prevent financial risks. In the coming three years, China will seek to foster a "virtuous circle" between finance and the real economy and the property sector, as well as within the overall financial system. China will reduce the leverage ratio of local governments and companies, especially state-owned enterprises. Financial supervision at the state and local level will be better coordinated. Tailored policies will be used to control risks in different financial markets.

To achieve the goal of poverty alleviation by 2020, in the next three years, China has to ensure that about 30 million rural poverty-stricken people are lifted out of poverty. This is a difficult task since it requires reducing poverty by more than 10 million people a year. From 2018 to 2020, the central government finance will contribute an additional 214 billion yuan ($31.13 billion) to support the poverty alleviation work.

China has also rolled out a three-year action plan on air pollution control, vowing to significantly reduce concentrations of PM2.5. The plan aims to greatly reduce major air pollutants. In 2020, the production and sales of new energy vehicles will reach 2 million. A range of sectors, including public transportation, sanitation, postal and light logistics, will be encouraged to use new energy or clean energy vehicles. Some key cities will turn all buses into new energy vehicles.

China has also drawn up a two-stage development plan for the period from 2020 to the middle of the century. In the first stage from 2020 to 2035, China will build on the foundation created by the moderately prosperous society to see that socialist modernization is basically realized. In the second stage from 2035 to the middle of the 21st century, China will, building on having basically achieved modernization, develop into a great modern socialist country that is "prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful."

China will strive to write a brilliant chapter on our new journey to socialist modernization.