A spokesperson for the upcoming 2025 session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee reaffirmed China's commitment to open wider to the world at a press conference Monday.

Liu Jieyi, spokesperson for the third session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee, speaks at a press conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, March 3, 2025. [Photo by Zheng Liang/China.org.cn]

"Economic globalization is an objective requirement for the development of social productive forces, a natural outcome of technological progress and a crucial path for the advancement of human society," spokesperson Liu Jieyi told reporters. "It is an irreversible trend of our times. China firmly stands on the right side of history, and its doors will only open wider to the world."

According to Liu, over the past year, China has continued to serve as the largest engine of global economic growth, accelerating the development of a new system for a higher-level open economy. It has maintained its position as the world's largest trader in goods and second-largest import market. Significant progress has been made in the high-quality joint development of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), while international events such as the China International Import Expo have provided a broad platform for promoting global economic cooperation.

"We have focused on advancing inclusive and equitable economic globalization, championing the spirit of 'shared responsibility and mutual benefit' and 'harmonious coexistence,' actively participated in global economic governance, and demonstrated the responsibility of a major country in driving global development," he said.

Liu stressed that China will continue to improve high-level opening up mechanisms, expand institutional openness, deepen reforms in foreign investment and outbound investment systems, optimize regional opening up layouts, refine BRI joint development mechanisms, and implement broader, wider and deeper opening up. He also stated that China will promote implementation of the Global Development Initiative and advance economic globalization toward a more open, inclusive, balanced and universally beneficial direction.

The spokesperson then introduced the CPPCC's work over the past year, including a focus on expanding institutional openness, optimizing regional opening up layouts, and promoting high-quality BRI development through extensive consultations. It organized thematic and biweekly forums on high-level opening up and free trade zone upgrades, conducted BRI core area inspections, and provided insights to advance opening up. The CPPCC also oversaw the implementation of key opening up measures in the 14th Five-Year Plan, offering targeted recommendations. 

Members proposed valuable suggestions on improving free trade zone business environments, risk control, leveraging the role of Hong Kong and Macao in building a new system for a higher-level open economy, and advancing service trade innovation and cross-border data flows. Recommendations such as easing foreign investment restrictions in medical institutions and expanding pilot programs for opening up value-added telecommunications services were adopted by relevant government departments and translated into specific policies and measures, he revealed.

"We will, as always, firmly support and participate in economic globalization, unwaveringly expand opening up, and work with countries around the world to share opportunities, create prosperity and jointly promote the building of an open world economy," Liu said. 

The spokesperson also hailed China's cultural charm, which attracted global audiences and tourists during the recent Spring Festival. He noted examples such as record-breaking box office earnings and movie attendance, the cross-border integration of traditional culture and high-tech leading to a series of hit products, and the visa-free transit policy fueling a surge in travel to China, with inbound tourists increasing by 150% year on year and reaching a historic high.

"Following the Spring Festival's inclusion on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list, China now has 44 UNESCO-listed heritage projects, the most globally, showcasing the immense charm of its outstanding traditional culture," he said, adding that this culture embodies the deepest spiritual pursuits and unique identity of the Chinese nation, serving as invaluable nourishment for its continuous growth and development.

He added that the CPPCC, deeply focused on China's outstanding traditional culture, has promoted its creative transformation and innovative development. Last year, CPPCC members visited Shandong, Shanxi, Henan and other provinces, conducting research at museums, heritage sites and institutions, engaging with cultural workers, and proposing suggestions to revitalize cultural heritage. They also held consultations on cultural heritage protection and modern cultural industry development, with proposals adopted by relevant departments.

The annual session of China's top political advisory body opened on March 4 in Beijing and will run until March 10. During the session, national political advisors will hear and deliberate reports, sit in on the third session of the 14th National People's Congress, discuss key documents including the government work report, and participate in plenary meetings and group consultations.