Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, has called for strong efforts to achieve China’s economic and social development goals for 2024.
On July 26, the CPC Central Committee held a symposium with non-CPC personages to seek opinions and suggestions on the country’s current economic situation and plans for the second half of the year. Xi presided over the symposium and delivered an important speech.
To ensure successful economic work in the latter half of the year, Xi emphasized the need to continue following the general principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability.
China has set its annual GDP growth target for 2024 at around 5 percent. The country’s GDP expanded 5 percent year on year in the first half of 2024.
“Efforts should be made to fully and faithfully apply the new development philosophy on all fronts, accelerate the building of a new pattern of development, develop new quality productive forces in light of local conditions, and promote high-quality development,” Xi said.
He also stressed the importance of further deepening reforms, strengthening macro regulation, boosting the vitality of market entities, stabilizing market expectations, sustaining the positive economic recovery momentum, and improving people’s livelihoods.
Other senior officials, including Li Qiang, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, and Ding Xuexiang, all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, attended the symposium. Li briefed attendees on the economic work in the first half of the year and considerations for the second half.
Leaders of eight non-CPC parties, the head of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and a representative of personages without party affiliation shared their insights on topics such as deepening comprehensive reforms, promoting high-level opening-up, strengthening the industrial and technological foundation for new quality productive forces, and boosting confidence in the private economy.
Xi noted that the Chinese economy continued its recovery trend through the first half of the year, making new strides in high-quality development.
He acknowledged that the economy faces some difficulties and problems, but emphasized that these issues have arisen in the course of development and transformation and can be overcome.
Xi called for remaining confident, maintaining strategic resolve, and proactively addressing problems and challenges.
He urged non-CPC parties and personages to adopt a correct perspective on the situation and work together to overcome various risks and challenges.
Xi also highlighted the need for research on major reform measures proposed at the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, on major issues in social and economic development, and on preparations for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), which would provide reference for the CPC Central Committee’s scientific decision-making.
A view of Jinan City, capital of east China’s Shandong Province, July 24, 2024. /CFP
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
