A Chinese government official has called for stronger collaboration among nations to drive shared economic progress and sustainable global growth.
Gu Jianxin, Director-General of the Department of Foreign Affairs of Zhejiang Provincial People’s Government, made the call during a reception for international journalists in Hangzhou.
The media delegation was in the province following engagements on China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, with discussions focusing on opportunities in artificial intelligence, agribusiness, infrastructure and people-to-people exchanges.
Gu noted that Zhejiang Province, despite being relatively small in land size, remains one of the country’s leading economic hubs, with a population of about 67 million people.
He emphasised that countries should prioritise cooperation over rivalry to achieve inclusive economic development and mutual benefits.
According to him, the province has a rich cultural heritage and is widely regarded as one of the birthplaces of Asian civilisation, with its capital playing a key role in trade and cultural exchange.
He added that Zhejiang is known for its historical strengths in fishing, rice cultivation and silk production, while also contributing significantly to China’s export economy.
Gu highlighted the province’s strong economic performance, noting its leading position in cargo movement and foreign direct investment, as well as its reputation for innovation and technological advancement, including being home to major companies such as Alibaba Group.
He also described the region as environmentally rich, with a landscape characterised by mountains, water bodies and arable land suitable for agriculture and tourism.
Gu said the province’s development aligns with the vision of Xi Jinping, which promotes environmental sustainability alongside economic growth.
He added that ongoing development strategies are designed to deliver benefits not only to local residents but also to international partners, particularly as China begins implementation of its new Five-Year Plan.
In her remarks, Tania Glouhtcheva, Head of the International Department of DUMA newspaper, thanked the Chinese authorities for hosting the delegation.
She said the visit provided valuable insight into China’s development model and its approach to economic growth and modernisation.
Glouhtcheva noted that each visit to China offers new learning opportunities, especially in understanding how the country continues to advance its long-term development plans.
She added that the experience in Zhejiang offered practical lessons on innovation, hard work and strategic planning in national development.