China is committed to driving economic growth through a multifaceted approach that combines domestic and global initiatives to create a more open and innovative economy, said an expert in Beijing on Friday.
As China pursues an innovation-driven growth model, the country's prominence in the global innovation landscape continues to increase.
The Global Innovation Index 2024, released by the World Intellectual Property Organization, ranks China 11th among the world's most innovative economies, up one spot from the previous year. This makes China one of the fastest risers over the past decade.
Qu Qiang, a research fellow at the Belt and Road Research Center of Minzu University of China, expects the world's second largest economy to shore up its innovation ecosystem to drive growth and competitiveness, both domestically and internationally.
"A high-tech driven economy, it means it definitely will be outgoing. It definitely will be very open to the outside world, embracing the diversity and internationalization. That's a dual pass, and in order to do that further, I think China would focus on both the domestic and international market. Domestically, I think China will do a lot of reform to accommodate more of the foreign investment and businesses to come into China. For example, we will further lower the threshold for the market entry. We're going to make the rule of law very perfect for the outside investors. Also for the services, I think we will have more streamlined services from the government, as well as for the private sector. You will have the one-stop services for you to solve all kinds of problems, from registration, taxation and to all the legal matters until you can get the profit from the market," he said in an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) via video link.
"Internationally, I think China will also try to together hand in hand with their international investors and partners to build a bigger cake with each other, have a win-win result, rather than just try to cut a bigger cake for itself. For example, Belt and Road Initiative is one of the examples to make the international cake bigger. So, many of the foreign investors and enterprises can actually, hand in hand with Chinese Belt and Road Initiative, go out and enjoy the growth not only in the Chinese market but also in the Chinese connected market in the international arena. So, I think many of these kinds of opportunities can be the real attractions for the international investors, to have these common prosperities together with China in the next few years," said the expert.
China to drive economic growth through multifaceted approach: expert
As the Qingming Festival approaches this Friday, various traditional folk activities have been held across China, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the occasion.
With a 2,500-year history, Qingming Festival, or the Festival of Pure Brightness, observed in early April, uniquely combines ancestral worship with the celebration of spring. Falling on the 15th day after the spring equinox, this ritual-rich observance reflects China's enduring values of ancestral veneration and inspires deep introspection about what gives life meaning.
In Sijia Village, Huayin City, northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, a unique swing festival is held to mark the occasion. Eighteen different types of traditional swings, such as the spinning wheel swing, the Bagua swing reminiscent of a rotating carousel, and the balance swing designed for two people, have attracted many visitors.
Historically, Sijia Village served as a military post guarding the strategic Tongguan pass, a former mountain pass and fortress located south of the confluence of the Wei and Yellow Rivers. The swing tradition in the village has its origins in military training exercises like climbing and river crossing. The local swing culture further developed as regional trade flourished, eventually evolving into the "swing festival" that continues today.
"It's very exciting and tests your skill, endurance, and most importantly, your arm strength. You need to maintain balance," said Qu Xiangyang, a visitor.
In Rudong County, Nantong City, east China's Jiangsu Province, another traditional Qingming activity takes place - kite flying.
Flying kites as a way of making wishes is an age-old Qingming custom in this region. As a result, the Qingming Festival in Nantong is also known as the "Kite Festival."
The local Banyao whistling kite making skills is listed as one of the first national intangible cultural heritage items.
According to a folk culture expert, people traditionally write the names of diseases or misfortunes on paper, attach it to a kite, and release it into the sky. This practice is believed to drive away illness and disaster, while also serving as a way to make wishes.
In south China's Guangdong Province, a large tug-of-war competition is underway in Maoming City. Teams from different towns and streets are competing, attracting many locals to cheer on their teams.
Tug-of-war, which originated during the late Spring and Autumn period (770 BC - 476 BC), became part of Qingming customs during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty once organized large-scale tug-of-war competitions for the festival.
"Tug-of-war became very popular in the Tang Dynasty, even emerging as the national sport. It originated in the Jingchu region and later spread across the country. In ancient Lingnan (Southern China), tug-of-war games were a common tradition. Through these events, people seek to pray for peace, prosperity, and abundant harvests," said Yao Guojun, vice dean of the College of Arts and Law, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology.
Traditional folk activities held for Qingming Festival
