Page 3 - ON BUILDING A HUMAN COMMUNITY WITH A SHARED FUTURE

OPENNESS AND INNOVATION

and tenacity. Heaven rewards those who work hard, and what flowers
in spring comes to fruition in autumn. The Chinese people’s focused
endeavor on national development and their unfailing commitment to
reform and opening up have brought enormous changes to China. Today
it is the world’s second largest economy, the largest industrial nation, the
largest trader of goods, and the holder of the largest foreign exchange
reserves in the world. Over the past 40 years, China’s GDP has averaged
an annual growth rate of around 9.5 percent when calculated with
constant price measures and its foreign trade has registered an annual
growth of 14.5 percent in US dollars. The Chinese people have gone
from scarcity and want to abundance, from poverty and hardship to
moderate prosperity. According to current UN standards, more than 700
million Chinese people have escaped poverty, accounting for more
than 70 percent of the global total over the same period.
Over the last four decades, the Chinese people have forged a
path of socialism with Chinese characteristics through determined
explorations and with a pioneering spirit. The Chinese people have
focused on national realities while taking an interest in world affairs.
We have championed independence and self-reliance and embraced
openness and mutually beneficial cooperation. We have upheld the
socialist system while also pursuing reforms to develop the socialist
market economy. While “crossing the river by feeling the stones,”
we have also strengthened top-level planning. We have continued to
study new circumstances, address new problems, and sum up new
experiences, thereby successfully forging a path of socialism with
Chinese characteristics. The successful practices of the Chinese people
are proof that there is more than one path to modernization. With the
right direction and unremitting efforts, all roads can take us to Rome.
Over the last four decades, the Chinese people have fully
demonstrated the strength of the nation by moving with the times
and making continuous progress. Ours is a nation that has continued
to liberate minds and seek truth from facts. Our efforts to emancipate
our minds have driven and been driven by our endeavor to reform and
open up. Our search for new ideas has spurred and been spurred by
our practical explorations. This shows the great strength of a guiding
vision. Ours is a nation that has had the courage to reform and renew

531