At the invitation of the Ryukyu Shimpo, Wang Chen, President of People's Daily, delivered a speech at the Ryukyu Forum hosted by the Ryukyu Shimpo on August 3.

Wang Chen, President of People's Daily, delivered a speech at the Ryukyu Forum hosted by the Ryukyu Shimpo on August 3.

Wang's 70-minute speech titled "China economy: development and challenges" gave a panoramic view of China's economy, from its history of evolution through the present situation to its future. He pointed out that since China launched the reform and opening-up endeavor, China had experienced profound changes, reflected by its well-off people who used to be merely adequately fed and dressed. In 2004, China's GDP reached 1,649.4 billion USD and ranked the seventh in the world. It has become the world's third largest trading nation.

At present, he said, the Chinese people are implementing the idea of scientific development which highlights the people-first principle, as well as the comprehensive, harmonious and sustainable development. It is on this philosophy that the country is striving for a comprehensive well-off society covering the whole billion-odd population.

He reminded of the fact that there are numerous challenges ahead facing the fast growing economy. China's GDP per capita is expected to reach 3,000 USD over the first two decades of this new millennium. Given this, this period means significant strategic opportunities, a new stage of the construction of a comprehensive well-off society, and a key time for the reform and development. The opportunities and challenges have prompted China to be determined to build a harmonious society. Wang briefed the 6 characteristics of the mission and main tasks to be completed to fulfill the mission. He expressed his belief that China would successfully realize the ambition of a comprehensive well-off society.

When it comes to the Sino-Japan relations, Wang said the difficult situation of the bilateral relations had affected and hindered the two-way cooperation on the basis of mutual benefit. This abnormal situation, he warned, was neither favorable to the further development of the trade and economic exchanges between the two sides, nor in the interest and desire of the two peoples.

He told the audience that China had always attached importance to the relations with Japan and adhered to a friendly policy toward Japan. He reiterated the principle of "draw lessons from history and look into the future". He stressed that the three political documents signed by China and Japan, namly the Sino-Japanese Joint Communiqu��, Sino-Japanese Treaty of Peace and Friendship and Sino-Japanese Joint Declaration, should absolutely be followed. He urged Japanese leaders not to do anything more which may hurt the feeling of the Chinese people and the Asian peoples on the issue of history. He called for commitments to the consensus made between Chinese President Hu Jintao and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on pushing forward the stable development of the bilateral ties to make efforts on improving the Sino-Japan relations. The peoples of the two countries, Wang hopes, will secure a good relationship for generations and achieve win-win results through cooperation.

Wang Chen highlighted the importance of closer exchanges and cooperation in various areas, more exchanges among people, and better understanding and communication in the media circle between the two countries. All of this, in his view, plays a significant role in facilitating a stable, healthy development of the China-Japan relations.

Wang also answered questions raised by the audience which included more than 200 representatives from the economic and cultural circles in Okinawa.

By People's Daily Online