Former Chinese Ambassador to Gabon, Sun Jiwen, has attributed China’s rapid economic rise to decades of sustained reforms, modernisation policies, and a consistent strategy of opening up to the global economy.
He made the remarks while presenting a lecture at a two-week seminar on “Exchange of China’s Experience in Reform and Opening-Up for Developing Countries,” held in Beijing, China.
The session was themed “Overview of China’s Conditions and Modernisation.”
Sun noted that China’s long historical evolution, marked by dynastic changes, conflicts, and periods of foreign domination, shaped the foundation of its modern state.
He explained that the 1949 revolution led by Mao Zedong, which established the People’s Republic of China, represented a major turning point in the country’s development trajectory.
According to him, the first Five-Year Plan (1953–1957) laid the groundwork for strengthening China’s agricultural, industrial, and economic systems.
He further stated that the reform and opening-up policies introduced in 1978 under Deng Xiaoping transformed China by attracting foreign investment and accelerating economic growth.
Sun said these reforms reshaped both rural and urban sectors, gradually transitioning China toward a socialist market economy while expanding private enterprise and economic liberalisation.
He added that the establishment of special economic and free trade zones further integrated China into the global economy and boosted development.
Speaking on current developments, Sun said China is now advancing modernisation under President Xi Jinping, building on earlier reforms while also addressing poverty reduction, with over 100 million people reportedly lifted out of extreme poverty since 2020.
He described China’s modernisation model as one driven by a large population, inclusive development, and shared prosperity, including increased participation of women in the workforce.
Sun also highlighted progress in environmental development, noting large-scale afforestation and ecological restoration efforts across millions of hectares of land.
He said China continues to promote peaceful development, international cooperation, and opposition to global power politics, while strengthening its domestic economy.
According to him, future development will focus on deepening reforms and expanding multi-dimensional openness to the global community.
He acknowledged that challenges remain, including population size and regional development imbalances between eastern and western China.
Sun expressed confidence that China is on course to achieve full modernisation by 2035 and further advancement by 2050.