The strategic planning by the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee for further comprehensively deepening reforms will be turned into a powerful driving force for carrying out major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said on Friday.
Mao Ning, the spokeswoman, made the statement at a press conference in Beijing in replying to a question on the guiding significance of the just-concluded third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee to China's major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics on a new journey.
"The Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee is a very important meeting held in a critical period of comprehensively promoting the construction of China into a great country and the great cause of national rejuvenation with Chinese modernization. The plenary session clearly pointed out that we must unswervingly follow an independent foreign policy of peace, promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, and create a good external environment for further comprehensively deepening reforms and promoting Chinese modernization," Mao said.
"We will adhere to the guidance of the Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, implement on a full scale the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, and turn the strategic planning for further comprehensively deepening reforms into a powerful driving force for carrying out major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics," she said.
"Chinese modernization follows the path of peaceful development. Chinese modernization is a growing force for global peace and development. We remain committed to the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security. We adhere to resolving disputes through dialogue, settling differences through consultation, and promoting security through cooperation. We firmly pursue high-standard institutional opening-up and create new opportunities for global development with achievements made in China's modernization. We promote the shared values of humanity, facilitate equal dialogue, exchanges, and mutual learning among civilizations, and contribute inexhaustible energy to the advancement of human civilization," said the spokeswoman.
"China's determination to safeguard world peace and promote common development is firm and its pace is solid. We will continue to promote implementation of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping, promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, and build an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world featuring lasting peace, universal security and common prosperity," she said.
The third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee was held in Beijing on July 15-18, during which a resolution on further deepening reforms comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization was adopted.
The resolution, with economic structural reform as the spearhead, comprehensively plans reforms in various fields and aspects. It puts forward more than 300 important reform measures, all of which involve reforms on the levels of systems, mechanisms, and institutions.
Planning for comprehensive deepening of reforms to be turned into driving force for major-country diplomacy: spokeswoman
Known primarily for its coal production, the city of Taiyuan in Shanxi Province is undergoing a cultural transformation. As part of China's booming concert economy, Taiyuan is actively seeking to provide unforgettable experiences for music fans.
Local authorities are supporting businesses in capitalizing on the growing demand for immersive concert experiences.
Taiyuan has implemented innovative initiatives. The city offers free public transportation for concert attendees, including bus and subway rides, both during the concert period and for three days before and after the event .
Taiyuan's commitment to creating a vibrant concert atmosphere is evident throughout the city. Giant banners and posters promote upcoming events, while various support activities further enhance the experience.
At a recent concert, a CGTN correspondent witnessed the city's dedication to providing a memorable experience. Each fan was greeted with a personalized souvenir bag filled with local specialties. Additionally, a captivating drone performance delighted the audience, adding an extra layer of excitement to the event.
"We have both also been to several concerts before. But this is the first time we've enjoyed various perks. Some shops are offering free merchandise. There are shuttle buses. The concert ticket also provides free admission to other local attractions. I think it is really nice," a concertgoer said.
"I have attended several concerts in Taiyuan where I have had really great experiences," another concert fan said.
Taiyuan's thoughtful initiatives have not only delighted concertgoers but also stimulated the city's consumer activity.
"From April to September, Taiyuan hosted more than 10 concerts. We could feel the enthusiasm of the fans at each event. There was a noticeable increase in hotel bookings as well," said Ma Shuting, marketing manager of a local hotel.
The concert period has also boosted the street-stall economy. The area around the venue has been transformed into a vibrant marketplace, with hundreds of stalls offering a diverse range of goods and services, from snacks and concert merchandise to beauty treatments.
"Business is doing quite well because there are many people coming from both out of town and locally. The daily revenue is approximately between 2,000 and 3,000 yuan (about 282 to 423 U.S. dollars)," a vendor told CGTN.
To solidify its position as a leading performing arts center in Northern China, the local government has made a significant commitment to fostering the concert economy.
"All 11 government departments in Taiyuan have jointly introduced several measures to support the development of the concert economy. For concert organizers in Taiyuan that meet the criteria, subsidies ranging from 150,000 yuan to 800,000 yuan (about 21,200 to 113,000 U.S. dollars) will be provided. Additionally, the city government has also established a special task force to ensure the smooth running of large-scale concerts," said Liu Rui, deputy director of the Taiyuan Bureau of Culture and Tourism.
The concert economy holds immense potential for economic growth, as demonstrated by the impact of Taylor Swift and Coldplay concerts on Singapore's GDP, which was boosted by around 0.25 percent.
Taiyuan is positioning itself as a major player in the concert industry, with over 30 concerts scheduled for this year alone. These events are expected to attract nearly 800,000 fans and generate tens of billions of yuan in consumer spending.
The city's commitment to the concert economy reflects its proactive pursuit of new growth drivers. This not only boosts consumption in the culture and tourism sector but also contributes to the broader economic transition toward high-quality growth.
Taiyuan's thriving concert economy boosts cultural, tourism growth
