China’s reform and opening up ‘irreversible’: Wen Jiabao

Font Size

Print

Feedback

Email

Discuss

Amid festivities to mark China’s 57th national day, Premier Wen Jiabao has pledged to unswervingly pursue more economic and political reforms to sustain the “historic miracle” the communist giant has achieved in the past three decades.

“We’ll unswervingly push reform and opening up,” Wen said at his customary speech at a reception in the great hall of the people, marking the founding anniversary of the people’s republic of China on October 1. “This trend is irreversible,” he added.

China has created a historical miracle by achieving nearly three decades of rapid, sustainable economic growth and all-round social development, he said to the over 1,500-strong gathering which included Chinese President Hu Jintao among other leaders.

China has grown rapidly since 1978, when it began to reform. Over the past 27 years, it has shifted from a centrally-planned to a market economy, maintained an average economic growth rate of about 9% per year, and lifted 400 million people from poverty.

Though saddled with a population of 1.3 billion, China recently became the world’s fourth lar-gest economy and third largest trading nation.

The senior communist party leader pointed out that China would become a prosperous, democratic, culturally advanced and harmonious modern socialist country if it adhered to the path of scientific development.

He also stressed the government’s resolve to fight against corruption.

China would continue to work with the people of Hong Kong and Macao to ensure their prosperity and stability, to make efforts with Taiwan compatriots to achieve national reunification and work with the international community for a peaceful, prosperous and harmonious world, he said.

To mark the national day, as before, the Chinese government has declared a week-long national holiday, boosting tourism and other service industries.

The famous Tiananmen Square has been decked with flower pots and other floats, including that of Tibet’s capital, Lhasa’s Potala Palace.

Meanwhile, China’s leading newspaper, The People’s Daily, in an editorial noted that tremendous changes had occurred in China over the past 57 years and today’s China had achieved comprehensive development in economic, political, cultural and social development.