Roundtable held to discuss China's economic outlook

A roundtable dialogue with a focus on the prospects of China's economy and China-Europe economic and trade relations was convened via video link on Friday.

A roundtable dialogue with a focus on the prospects of China's economy and China-Europe economic and trade relations is convened via video link on March 17, 2023. [Photo/CICG]

The event invited Zhu Guangyao, former vice finance minister of China, and Zhang Wencai, vice president of the Export-Import Bank of China, to give in-depth talks on the signals from China's recently concluded "two sessions" and China's economic future. Nearly 40 business leaders from Europe, Asia, and the Americas discussed with them the prospects of China's economy and the cooperation between China and Europe.

In his opening remarks, Gao Anming, vice president of China International Communications Group (CICG), said that this year's "two sessions" served as an important window to look into China's socio-economic development. He said China has reaffirmed its commitment to opening-up and support for foreign investment at the "two sessions," and he hoped that enterprises around the world will share the new opportunities of China's development and jointly promote global economic growth. He also highlighted CICG's role in building platforms for promoting people-to-people exchange.

Zhu stressed the importance of international cooperation and policy coordination in addressing global challenges. He pointed out that China is actively seeking to accede to high-standard economic and trade agreements such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, which demonstrates the country's determination to further integrate into the global economy. 

Zhang said that China and Europe, as major global economic powers, enjoy extensive common interests, a solid foundation for cooperation, and strong economic complementarity. He called for increased collaboration between the two sides to promote the liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment, and to implement the China-EU Comprehensive Agreement on Investment as soon as possible.

Co-organized by the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies under CICG and the China-Europe-America Global Initiative, the event is part of a series of think tank exchanges aimed at providing insight into China's key meetings and major policies to help the world better understand China.