The following article comes from the China Development Forum, author CDF

China Development Forum.

Official account of "China Development Forum"

Letter from the Chinese Chairman

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Lu Hao

Director and Party Secretary of the Development Research Center of the State Council

Chinese Chairman of China Development Forum

The 2024 Annual Meeting of the China Development Forum will be held as scheduled from March 24 to 25. As the Chinese chairman of the forum, on behalf of the organizer, the Development Research Center of the State Council, I would like to extend a warm welcome to the domestic and foreign guests participating in the forum, and extend my heartfelt thanks to friends from all walks of life who care about and support the forum!

In the past year, the world economy has slowly recovered amid turbulent changes, geopolitical tensions, local conflicts have escalated, protectionist unilateralism has risen, and climate change risks have intensified. The profound impact of cutting-edge technological advances such as artificial intelligence on human society has emerged. The uncertainty facing development has increased. What is even more worrying is that misunderstandings in the international community due to insufficient communication are increasing, and differences arising from different positions, history, culture, and development paths are also widening. These increased misunderstandings and widening differences will weaken efforts to address global challenges, undermine the foundation for sustainable development, and ultimately harm the common interests of all parties. The world is standing at a crossroads of history, which requires us to think from multiple angles, communicate in depth, and form the greatest consensus. This is also an important function and purpose of the forum.

The past year was the first year for China to fully implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. Under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, China withstood external pressure and overcome internal difficulties, and the overall economy rebounded for the better. The main goals of economic and social development were successfully completed throughout the year, and high-quality development was solidly advanced. We realize that this was achieved in the context of post-epidemic recovery, in the context of complex and changeable external environment, and in the context of efforts to solve major issues that affect long-term economic development. The results are hard-won.

Development is the eternal theme of human society. Currently, China is comprehensively promoting Chinese-style modernization with high-quality development. China is still in the stage of rapid release of aggregate demand, and urbanization still has huge potential for upgrading. Digitalization and green transformation create more demand and new space, which, combined with a series of important competitive advantages formed in the long-term development process, will strongly support the Chinese economy. Continuous development. President Xi Jinping pointed out that China will always be an important opportunity for world development. China's development will bring more opportunities for win-win cooperation between China and foreign countries and inject more vitality and certainty into global economic growth. The theme of this forum will be "Sustainable Development China" and focus on our common concerns about development momentum and prospects, development opportunities and international cooperation, the release of new consumption and domestic demand potential, big health industries, artificial intelligence development and governance, and digital empowerment. Exchange and discussion on important and cutting-edge issues such as industrial transformation, carbon neutrality and global climate governance, and global economic growth trends to enhance a more comprehensive and in-depth understanding of China and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation.

The Chinese government unswervingly promotes high-level opening up and has always attached great importance to and strongly supported the forum. Premier Li Qiang will attend the opening ceremony of this forum's annual meeting and deliver a keynote speech. Heads of many major international organizations, heads of nearly 100 global multinational companies, and dozens of well-known experts and scholars came to Beijing to participate in the forum. The enthusiasm they showed was not only the enthusiasm to pay attention to and participate in China's development, but also the enthusiasm to respond to major global challenges and promote common development. I believe that with the in-depth participation and active interaction of representatives from all walks of life at home and abroad, this forum will achieve important results and contribute wisdom to the sustainable development of China and the world economy.

I wish the 2024 Annual Meeting of the China Development Forum a complete success!

Director and Party Secretary of the Development Research Center of the State Council

Chinese Chairman of China Development Forum