Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, November 2nd (Reporter Qian Tong) - President Xi Jinping met with international delegates attending the Beijing Conference of the 21st Century Council at the Great Hall of the People on the 2nd, and elaborated on China’s development path, reform and opening up, economic situation and foreign policy.

Xi Jinping stated that this conference, with the theme of “Understanding China,” helps enhance mutual understanding between China and foreign countries. The Chinese people are striving to achieve the “Two Centenary Goals” and the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The Chinese Dream is connected to the Chinese people’s aspiration for a better life, and it is also interconnected with the beautiful dreams of people of all countries for peace and development. To realize the Chinese Dream, we must adhere to the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. This path is the correct one that the Chinese people have found after long-term arduous exploration.

On November 2nd, President Xi Jinping met with international delegates of the 21st Century Council Beijing Conference at the Great Hall of the People. Photo by Huang Jingwen, Xinhua News Agency reporter.

Xi Jinping stated that China has achieved remarkable development accomplishments recognized worldwide, however, it remains the largest developing country in the world and is still in, and will long remain in, the primary stage of socialism. China has a long way to go in its development. Addressing development issues and improving people’s livelihoods remain our top priority.

Xi Jinping introduced that currently, China’s economy is progressing steadily while maintaining stability. In the first half of the year, the gross domestic product grew by 7.6%, and in the third quarter, it reached 7.8%. We are transforming the development mode, adjusting the economic structure, and accelerating the advancement of new industrialization, informatization, urbanization, and agricultural modernization. The endogenous factors supporting China’s economic development are sufficient. We are confident that China’s economy will maintain sustained and healthy development. China will not fall into the so-called middle-income trap.

Xi Jinping emphasized that China adheres unswervingly to reform and opening up. The more China develops, the more open it will be, and China’s door to opening up will never be closed. Reform and opening up is an endless journey; it is always in progress and never ends. In a few days, we will convene the Third Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, put forward a comprehensive reform plan, and make an overall deployment for comprehensively deepening reform.

On November 2nd, President Xi Jinping met with international delegates attending the Beijing Conference of the 21st Century Council at the Great Hall of the People. Photo by Huang Jingwen, Xinhua News Agency

Xi Jinping emphasized that China adheres to peaceful development and will never take the path where a strong country is bound to seek hegemony. As China develops, it will assume more international responsibilities and participate more actively in international affairs and the reform of the international system. China is a constructive force for promoting world peace and development. We will continue to maintain a modest attitude, learn from the advanced concepts and development experiences of other countries, be inclusive, and take a path of development that coexists harmoniously with other countries.

Zedillo, Chairman of the 21st Century Council and former President of Mexico; Berggruen, Chairman of the Berggruen Institute on Governance; Brown, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom; Keating, former Prime Minister of Australia; and Mahbubani, Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore, delivered speeches respectively. They expressed admiration for the tremendous achievements made in China's development and the positive role China has played in the world, and believed that China's economy will continue to develop. China’s development is beneficial to the world. China will make greater contributions to promoting world peace and prosperity. They stated that they are paying attention to the upcoming Third Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and wish China greater success in its reform and opening up drive.

State Councilor Yang Jiechi attended the meeting.