China is "committed", "ambitious" and "vital", according to Microsoft founder Bill Gates.

Bill Gates speaks at Peking University in Beijing, on March 24, 2017. [Photo by Zhu Xingxin/chinadaily.com.cn]

The billionaire philanthropist was among leading business figures, academics and opinion leaders from around the world who were asked by China Daily to sum up China in just three words.

Apart from the somewhat obvious "big", words which regularly came up from respondents were "innovative", "dynamic" and "transforming", reflecting some of the spirit of the Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era outlined in the general secretary's report to the 19th CPC National Congress.

Gates said he wanted his selection of words to reflect the fact that China was now "very important to the future of the entire world".

"Committed, because as much as any other country over the past few years, China has shown a commitment to health and development both at home and abroad. Ambitious, because of the targets it has set for itself, including wiping out extreme poverty by 2020. And vital, because we need an engaged and responsible China if we are to rid the world of what we call 'solvable human misery'," he responded.

Gary Locke, the former US ambassador to China, said it was important to reflect that China was building a new modernity while also not forgetting the foundation of its ancient culture.

"I would say 'modern', 'ancient' and 'energetic'. China is on the move," he responded.

This combination of old and new was reflected in the choices of Marine Jibladze, the Georgian Sinologist and author.

"It is both 'modern' and 'traditional' as well as 'safe'," she said.

Leading China expert Kerry Brown, director of the Lau Institute at King's College London and author of the new book China's World about China's increasing global role, described China as "dynamic", "complex" and "aspirational".

He said he wanted the words to reflect just how important China is to the rest of the world.

"China has a new role. Domestic issues are global because of their size and scale," he replied.

Scott Kennedy, deputy director of the Freeman Chair in China Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, was one of those who said it was difficult to avoid the word "big" when it came to China, although he also went for "competitive" and "offering variety", the last choice taking into account the diversity of the country.

"China is big. It's not just big geographically and in terms of its number of people but also on its effect on the global economy, markets and security issues. Anything you study about China has to start with its size," he responded. David Lampton, former president of the National Committee on United States-China Relations and now a Sinologist at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, went for "leaders" as well as "complicated" and "expectations".

"Leaders matter and I think with Xi we are seeing the rise of a leader in China who will make a big difference," he responded.

Sir Gerry Grimstone, chairman of Standard Life, the UK insurance company, and former chairman of The-CityUK, a trade body for the UK's financial services sector, stressed "opportunity" as well as "exciting" and "powerful", because of the potential for UK-China business following Xi's state visit to the UK in October 2015.

"The visit marked an improvement in the relations between the two countries and the beginning of a new 'golden era' of cooperation," he responded.

Steve Mollenkopf, chief executive officer of Qualcomm, the US semiconductor and telecommunications giant, chose "green" alongside "innovative" and "collaborative".

Environmental sustainability and the creation of a "Beautiful China" was one of the messages in Xi's report to the congress in the opening session.

"The Chinese government has attached great importance to ecological protection. During my recent visits to China, I have been impressed by the considerable efforts toward improving the environment."

Jeremy Hunter, chief executive of the Chinese branch of Henkel Corp, the German chemical and consumer goods company, had almost identical choices, varying only by noting "sustainable" rather than "green".

"China has prioritized sustainable development as an important part of its national agenda and is making progress toward balancing economic development and sustainability."

Xi made a brave defense of globalization in his speech to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in January despite protectionist noises elsewhere in the world. So it is not surprising the word was chosen by a number of respondents.

It was one of the selections of Curt Ferguson, president of the Chinese arm of Coca-Cola, which remains one of the world's most global companies.

"China has become a champion of globalization. We are very fortunate to have had the opportunity to forge strong local partnerships to serve Chinese consumers and share our experience of managing a truly international business in more countries and regions than there are members of the United Nations."

Part of China's commitment to globalization has been the Belt and Road Initiative, which Lord Sassoon, chairman of the China Britain Business Council, said has been "transforming" and "influencing."

"It has China's biggest achievements of the past five years and it provides extensive opportunities for engagement," he replied.

Angel Gurria, the former Mexican foreign affairs and finance minister and now secretary-general of the Paris-based OECD, emphasized "innovative" as well as "dynamic" and "flexible".

"One of the most visible changes in China is the abundance of internet-based services, including mobile payments and shared economy services," he responded.

"These innovations have changed Chinese people's lives, well ahead of many other more economically advanced countries."

"Innovative" also featured in the choices of Alain Crozier, chief executive officer of Microsoft China, alongside "dynamic" and "transforming".

"China has really turned the corner from being a manufacturer and consumer of technology products and services invented by others to one that is developing real breakthroughs and real value that is relevant to the rest of the world."

Colin Mackerras, a Sinologist and emeritus professor at Griffith University in Australia, selected "prosperous", "confident" and "stronger", since all three, he says, are reflected in Xi's style of leadership.

"He stands out among contemporary world leaders for his rationality and common sense. He is very impressive."