Firmly Advancing High-Standard Opening Up

Firmly Advancing High-Standard Opening Up

XI JINPING

I

Our cause hinges on opening to the rest of the world and learning from it. We cannot succeed in building our country behind closed doors. Remaining committed to China’s basic state policy of opening up, we will guard against both self-seclusion and rigidity and keep our door wide open as we pursue development and advance our cause.

—Remarks at a meeting with foreign experts (December 5, 2012)

II

China’s door is open to the outside world and will not be closing. Over the past decade, China has fully honored its accession commitments to the World Trade Organization by creating a more open and better regulated business environment. Going forward, China will be taking even further and broader measures across a wider range of sectors to open its economy. Just as our door will remain open to foreign investors, we hope the doors of other countries will open wider to Chinese investors. We are firmly opposed to protectionism in all its forms and committed to properly resolving any trade differences with relevant countries through negotiation. And we will actively work for the establishment of a balanced multilateral economic and trade system that will boost development and deliver for all.

—Remarks at a meeting with Chinese and foreign business leaders during the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2013 (April 8, 2013)

III

We must gain a good understanding of the new trends in economic globalization and China’s new needs concerning opening up. Reform and opening up are the motor of China’s economic and social development. Expanding and advancing opening up as a means to drive reform and development has been the critical key to China’s continued progress. Openness brings progress, while self-seclusion leaves one behind. This is a truth borne out by the experiences of both China and the wider world. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, we have seized the momentum to accelerate the development of a new system for an open economy. As a result, a higher-standard opening up is now emerging. 

—Remarks at the 19th group study session of the Political Bureau of the 18th CPC Central Committee (December 5, 2014)

President Xi Jinping delivers a keynote speech titled “Building an Open, Inclusive and Interconnected World for Common Development” during the opening ceremony of the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation at the Great Hall of the People, Beijing, October 18, 2023. PHOTO BY XINHUA REPORTER WANG YE

IV

The focus of open development lies in addressing the issue of coordination between internal and external development dynamics. As profound changes sweep the landscape for international economic cooperation and competition, major shifts lie ahead in the system and rules of global economic governance. The depth, breadth, and pace of China’s “bringing in” and “going global” endeavors are all unprecedented, yet so are the pressures we face in defusing external economic risks and safeguarding our country's economic security. The question is no longer whether we should open up, but rather how we can improve the quality of opening up and better coordinate the dynamics of internal and external development. Overall, China's standard of opening up is not yet high enough. We still lack sufficient capacity to leverage both international and domestic markets and resources, to handle international economic and trade friction, and to make our voice heard in international economic affairs. We also lack sufficient expertise in applying international economic and trade rules. These problems need to be addressed as soon as possible.

President Xi Jinping talks with staff members at a comprehensive service center during a visit to the Xiamen Area of the China (Fujian) Pilot Free Trade Zone, October 16, 2024. He toured Fujian Province on October 15 and 16. PHOTO BY XINHUA REPORTER JU PENG

With this in mind, we must remain committed to China’s basic state policy of opening up, pursue a mutually beneficial opening up strategy, boost people-to-people exchanges, and refine planning for opening up across various regions as well as the layout of trade and investment. We need to put in place a new system for developing an open economy with higher standards and drive innovation, reform, and development through opening up. The Belt and Road Initiative is a major strategic undertaking and a top-level decision for expanding China’s opening up. In carrying out this initiative, we need to pinpoint opportunities for breakthroughs and extend successful practices to more areas. We should take steady steps and consolidate our gains as we progress. We should promote the reform and improvement of the system of global economic governance, help shape the global economic agenda, uphold the multilateral trade system, and move faster to implement the free trade zone strategy. Furthermore, we should actively assume international responsibilities and obligations in keeping with China’s capacity and status.

—An address at the second meeting of the fifth plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Committee (October 29, 2015)

V

Marxist political economy holds that human society will ultimately see history evolve beyond the level of individual nations to become truly global in scope. Today, China is more interconnected with the world than ever before, and our economy’s impact on the world economy, and vice versa, is unprecedented. Amid intensifying economic globalization, we cannot possibly pursue development behind closed doors. Therefore, we must give full consideration to both internal and external imperatives and make good use of both domestic and international markets and resources. We must embrace the trend of deepening integration into the world economy by working to develop an open economy with higher standards, actively participating in global economic governance, and striving to foster a global economic order featuring fairness, justice, and mutually beneficial cooperation. At the same time, we must also resolutely safeguard China’s development interests, forestall various risks, and ensure its economic security. Embedded within all of this are many theoretical and practical issues that require thorough study.

—Remarks at the 28th group study session of the Political Bureau of the 18th CPC Central Committee (November 23, 2015)

VI

As we have learned, to develop and grow stronger, we must embrace the trend of economic globalization, stay committed to opening up, and make full use of all the advanced scientific and technological achievements and management practices that humanity has developed. In the early days of reform and opening up, when we lacked both strength and experience, many of us had doubts about whether—given the dominance of the West—we could seize the opportunity of reform and opening up without being corrupted or devoured. Back then, we came under heavy pressure during negotiations on China’s resumption of its contracting party status in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and its accession to the World Trade Organization. Looking back now, there is no doubt that we were right to boldly open the country up and embrace the world.

Fifteen or twenty years ago, the United States and other Western countries were considered the leading proponents of economic globalization. Today, it is China that is recognized as the world’s greatest champion of trade and investment liberalization and facilitation; we are now the ones taking the initiative to fight various forms of protectionism pursued by Western countries. This shows that when we proactively follow global development trends, we can not only develop and grow stronger, but also shape the future of global development.

—Remarks at a seminar for principal officials at the provincial and ministerial level on studying and implementing the guiding principles from the fifth plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Committee (January 18, 2016)

VII

The Chinese people are fully aware that China’s development owes much to the international community. In turn, we stand ready to contribute to international development through our own growth. China’s opening to the outside world is not a solo act, but an invitation to all. It is not intended to establish our own sphere of influence, but to support the shared development of all countries. The aim is not to build our own backyard, but to cultivate a common garden to be shared by all countries.

—An address at the ceremony marking the 95th anniversary of the Communist Party of China (July 1, 2016)

VIII

A review of history shows that economic globalization was the result of growing social productivity and the inevitable outcome of scientific and technological advancement. It was not something fashioned by any group of individuals or countries. Economic globalization has powered global growth and facilitated the movement of goods and capital, advances in science, technology, and civilization, and interactions among peoples.

We must, of course, recognize that economic globalization is a double-edged sword. When the world economy faces downward pressure, it is much harder to grow the global economic pie, and the pie may even shrink. These challenges put greater strain on the relations between growth and distribution, capital and labor, and efficiency and equity. Both developed and developing countries feel the punch when this happens. Voices against globalization point to pitfalls of the process, and these deserve our serious attention and consideration.

However, as a line in an old Chinese poem goes, “Honey melons hang on bitter vines; sweet dates grow from thorny branches.” In a philosophical sense, nothing in this world is perfect. To pronounce something flawless because it has merits or worthless because it has defects is to miss the full picture. True, economic globalization has created new problems, but this does not justify rejecting it outright. Rather, we must adapt to and steer this trend, working to mitigate its negative impacts and ensure that its benefits are more widely shared among all countries and nations.

There was a time when China also had its doubts about economic globalization, and it was concerned about joining the World Trade Organization. In the end, we concluded that integration into the global economy was the trend of history. If China was going to grow its economy, it needed to have the courage to swim in the vast ocean of the global market. If one is always afraid to brave the storm and explore what lies ahead, they will sooner or later drown in the ocean. Therefore, China took the brave step of embracing the global market. Sure, we have choked on our fair share of water and encountered many whirlpools and surging waves, but we have also learned how to swim. This has proved to be the right strategic choice.

President Xi Jinping exchanges views with truck drivers, train drivers, loading workers, and management staff at a rail container hub in Chongqing International Logistics Hub Park, April 22, 2024. He toured Chongqing from April 22 to 24. PHOTO BY XINHUA REPORTER YUE YUEWEI

Whether you want to swim in it or not, the ocean of the global economy will always be there; you cannot escape it. To cut off the flow of capital, technology, products, industries, and people between economies and force the vast ocean waters to back into isolated lakes and creeks is simply not possible. It runs counter to the tide of history.

—A keynote speech at the opening session of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2017 (January 17, 2017)

IX

We will make new ground in pursuing opening up on all fronts. Openness brings progress, while self-seclusion leaves one behind. China will not close its door to the world; we will only become more and more open. We should pursue the Belt and Road Initiative as a priority, give equal emphasis to “bringing in” and “going global,” follow the principle of achieving shared growth through discussion and collaboration, and increase openness and cooperation in building innovation capacity. With these efforts, we hope to make new ground in opening China further through links running eastward and westward, across land and over sea.

We will expand foreign trade, develop new models and new forms of trade, and turn China into a trader of quality. We will adopt policies to promote high-standard liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment; we will implement the system of pre-establishment national treatment plus a negative list across the board, significantly ease market access, further open the service sector, and protect the legitimate rights and interests of foreign investors. All businesses registered in China will be treated equally.

We will improve the balance in opening our different regions, and open the western region wider. We will grant more powers to pilot free trade zones to conduct reform and explore the opening of free trade ports. We will develop new ways of making outbound investments, promote international cooperation on production capacity, form globally-oriented networks of trade, investment and financing, production, and services, and build up our strengths for international economic cooperation and competition.

—The Report to the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (October 18, 2017)

X

Our experience tells us that, just as opening up has made possible China’s growth over the past four decades, further openness will pave the way for its high-quality development in the future. Opening up is a strategic choice made by China based on its own need for development. At the same time, it is also a step China has taken to advance economic globalization for the benefit of people in all countries.

—A keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2018 (April 10, 2018)

XI

Reform and opening up over the past 40 years have shown that openness brings progress, while self-seclusion leaves one behind. China must be open to the world to achieve development, and the world needs China’s engagement to realize prosperity. Giving full consideration to both domestic and international imperatives, we have not only stayed committed to our basic state policy of opening up, but pursued it with more proactive steps. What has emerged is a new dynamic of all-around opening up across a range of levels and sectors. This has helped foster a favorable international environment and broader development prospects for China.

—An address at the meeting to celebrate the 40th anniversary of reform and opening up (December 18, 2018)

XII

I have stressed on many occasions that China will not shut its door to the outside world. On the contrary, it will open its door even wider. Focusing on development of the domestic economy is by no means pursuing closed-door development. Rather, it entails tapping into the potential of domestic demand to better align domestic and international markets and fully utilize both domestic and international markets and resources, thereby achieving robust and sustainable development. Viewed from the long-term perspective, economic globalization is a historic tide, and the trends of division of labor, cooperation, and win-win relations among countries are here to stay. We must stand on the right side of history, continue to deepen reform and expand opening up, enhance cooperation in science and technology, and foster an open global economy, so that we can build a community with a shared future for humanity.

—Remarks at a meeting with entrepreneurs (July 21, 2020)

XIII

We should pursue high-standard opening up to foster new strengths for engaging in international cooperation and competition. Though many in the international community are concerned about the prospects of economic globalization, we believe that international economic integration and exchange will continue to drive the world economy. Opening up has been a vital engine for China’s sustained and rapid economic growth. It is a basic state policy pursued by our country, and we should carry it out to a high standard across the board. We must put in place a new system for a higher-standard open economy, so as to create new strengths for international cooperation and competition. We should actively participate in the reform of the global economic governance system and work to make it more just and equitable.

As we work to promote opening up, we must keep two things in mind. First, we should actively engage in cooperation with all countries, regions, and companies that are willing to cooperate with us. That includes US states, local governments, and companies. As such, we must develop a new structure for open cooperation that is diversified and encompasses all sectors and multiple levels. Second, as we become more open, we must place greater emphasis on security and ensure both development and security. We should enhance our capacity to engage in competition, to conduct oversight in an open environment, and to prevent and control risks. This will ensure we are well-equipped to meet all challenges.

—Remarks at a meeting with experts from economic and social sectors (August 24, 2020)

XIV

China remains firm in supporting economic globalization and pursuing its basic state policy of opening up. China will continue to liberalize and facilitate trade and investment, work to maintain free-flowing and stable global industrial and supply chains, and advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. We will promote institutional opening up in terms of rules, regulations, management, and standards. We will also foster a market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized business environment and unleash the potential of China’s vast domestic market and enormous domestic demand. These efforts will create more opportunities for cooperation with other countries and further stimulate global economic recovery and growth.

—A special address delivered at the World Economic Forum Virtual Event of the Davos Agenda (January 25, 2021)

President Xi Jinping visits the New Development Bank and meets with Dilma Rousseff, president of the institution, Shanghai, April 29, 2025. PHOTO BY XINHUA REPORTER HUANG JINGWEN

XV

We will promote high-standard opening up. We will leverage the strengths of China’s enormous market, attract global resources and production factors with our strong domestic economy, and amplify the interplay between domestic and international markets and resources. This will position us to improve the level and quality of trade and investment cooperation.

We will steadily expand institutional opening up with regard to rules, regulations, management, and standards. We will upgrade trade in goods, develop new mechanisms for trade in services, and promote digital trade, in order to accelerate China’s transformation into a trader of quality.

We will make appropriate reductions to the negative list for foreign investment, protect the rights and interests of foreign investors in accordance with the law, and foster a world-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized. We will promote the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative.

We will better plan regional opening up, consolidate the leading position of eastern coastal areas in opening up, and more widely open the central, western, and northeastern regions. We will accelerate the construction of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor in the western region. We will work faster to develop the Hainan Free Trade Port, upgrade pilot free trade zones, and expand the globally-oriented network of high-standard free trade areas.

We will promote the internationalization of the RMB in an orderly way, deeply involve ourselves in the global industrial division of labor and cooperation, and endeavor to preserve the diversity and stability of the international economic landscape and economic and trade relations.

—The Report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (October 16, 2022)

XVI

China is committed to its fundamental national policy of opening to the outside world and pursues a mutually beneficial strategy of opening up. It strives to create new opportunities for the world with its own development and to contribute its share to building an open global economy that delivers greater benefits to all peoples.

China adheres to the right course of economic globalization. It strives to promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, advance bilateral, regional, and multilateral cooperation, and boost international macroeconomic policy coordination. It is committed to working with other countries to foster an international environment conducive to development and create new drivers for global growth. China opposes protectionism, the erection of “fences and barriers,” decoupling, disruption of industrial and supply chains, unilateral sanctions, and maximum-pressure tactics.

China is prepared to invest more resources in global development cooperation. It is committed to narrowing the North-South gap and supporting and assisting other developing countries in accelerating development.

—The Report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (October 16, 2022)

XVII

Five years ago, when I announced the decision to hold the China International Import Expo (CIIE), the aim was to expand opening up and turn China’s huge market into a major opportunity for the world. Now, the CIIE has become a window into China’s new development dynamic, a platform for promoting high-standard opening up, and an international public good shared by all in the world.

Openness is an important force driving progress for humanity and a sure path to global prosperity and development. Profound changes unseen in a century are now accelerating across the world, yet the global economy lacks the momentum needed for recovery. Openness should be harnessed as a means to overcome difficulties in development, create synergy for cooperation, build momentum for innovation, and deliver benefits to all. This will enable us to sustain economic globalization, give all countries greater dynamism for growth, and ensure that the gains of development reach more people around the globe in a more equitable way.

—A keynote video address at the opening ceremony of the Fifth China International Import Expo (November 4, 2022)

XVIII

To advance Chinese modernization, we must maintain independence and rely on our own efforts, basing the development of our country and nation on our own strength and keeping the future of China’s development firmly in our own hands. We should speed up efforts to foster a new development dynamic and ensure smooth flows in the domestic economy. At the same time, we should leverage the strengths of China’s huge market to attract global resources and production factors and amplify the interplay between domestic and international markets and resources. We must ensure our economic security, especially when it comes to the food, energy, and industrial and supply chains. We should improve the new system for mobilizing resources nationwide to make key technological breakthroughs and bolster China’s strategic capabilities in science and technology. To meet the strategic needs of our country, we need to concentrate resources on original and pioneering scientific and technological research and strive to achieve breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields.

In addition, we should continue to expand high-standard opening up. To this end, we should upgrade trade and investment cooperation, steadily broaden institutional opening in terms of rules, regulations, management, and standards, and promote high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative. We should improve planning for the opening of different regions, implement the strategy for upgrading pilot free trade zones, and expand our globally-oriented network of high-standard free trade areas. We must fully involve ourselves in the global industrial division of labor and cooperation and work to maintain a diverse and stable international economic landscape and economic and trade relations. With these efforts, we will open up broader prospects for Chinese modernization.

—Remarks at a seminar for newly-elected and alternate members of the CPC Central Committee as well as principal officials at the provincial and ministerial level on studying and implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the guiding principles from the 20th CPC National Congress (February 7, 2023)

XIX

China will always represent an important opportunity for the development of the world. Our door is wide open, and we welcome cooperation with all who wish to work with us. As a mega-sized economy, China is firmly committed to advancing high-standard opening up. We will expand market access, shorten the negative list for foreign investment, and achieve a new level of opening in the modern service sector. We will keep working to make China an even better place to do business, ensuring national treatment for foreign-funded companies and creating a first-rate business environment that is market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized, while also building a globally-oriented network of high-standard free trade areas. We will continue to promote ecological conservation, work faster to build a Beautiful China, take steady and prudent steps to achieve carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, and promote green economic and social development across all sectors. Looking ahead, with our 1.4 billion-plus people moving together toward modernization, China is sure to make even bigger contributions to the global economy and create broader opportunities for business communities worldwide

—An address at the closing ceremony of the BRICS Business Forum 2023 (August 22, 2023)

XX

The CPC Central Committee has advanced the development of pilot free trade zones as an important strategic measure to promote reform and opening up in the new era. Over the past decade, pilot free trade zones have delivered on the decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee by freeing their minds and upholding fundamental principles while breaking new ground. They have introduced a host of fundamental and pioneering measures for reform and opening up and made many landmark, ground-breaking achievements in developing new institutions. They have effectively served the role of comprehensive testing grounds for reform and opening up.

On the new journey ahead, pilot free trade zones should, based on a comprehensive review of their experience over the past decade, fully implement the strategy for their upgrading. As pathfinders, they should bravely break new ground and tackle tough challenges through deeper explorations across more fields, in a bid to achieve higher standards in their development. Following our Party’s overall leadership, they should let high-standard opening up guide their efforts and put institutional innovation at the heart of all they do. While ensuring both development and security, they should pursue alignment with high-standard international economic and trade rules to advance institutional opening up, and strengthen overall planning and carry out reform in an integrated way to drive innovative development across the entire industrial chain. Such efforts will ensure that pilot free trade zones better fulfill their pacesetting role.

—Instructions on further advancing the development of pilot free trade zones (September 24, 2023)

XXI

We are deeply aware that humanity is an interdependent community with a shared future. Only when the world does well can China do well; when China does well, the world will do even better. Through Belt and Road cooperation, China has opened its door ever wider to the outside world. Its inland areas have moved from trailing the pack to leading the charge in reform and opening up, while its coastal areas have reached new heights in pursuing open development. As a result, China’s market and the world market have become more closely connected. China is now a major trading partner of over 140 countries and regions and a major source of investment for a growing number of nations. Both China’s outbound investment and inbound foreign investment embody friendship, cooperation, confidence, and hope.

We are deeply aware that mutually beneficial cooperation is the only way to get things done, done well, and done on a large scale. Indeed, as long as countries have the will to work together and coordinate their efforts, natural barriers can be transformed into thoroughfares, landlocked states into land-linked countries, and underdeveloped regions into thriving centers of prosperity. Countries that develop fast should lend a hand to those who are yet to catch up. When everyone sees each other as friends and partners, respects and supports each other, and is invested in each other’s success, we will find that helping others brings its own rewards. As the saying goes, the fragrance lingers on the hand that gifts the rose. By contrast, viewing others’ development as a threat and economic interdependence as a risk will not lead to a better life or faster development for oneself.

We are deeply aware that the spirit of the Silk Road, characterized by peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning, and mutual benefit, is the most important source of strength for Belt and Road cooperation. I once noted that the ancient silk routes owe their place in history not to battle steeds, spears, warships, or cannons, but to camel caravans, goodwill, and ships carrying both goods and friendship. Belt and Road cooperation is based on the belief that the flame burns high when everyone adds wood to the fire and that mutual assistance helps us travel far. It espouses the idea that countries should seek prosperity not just for their own people but for the peoples of other countries, too. It promotes connectivity, mutual benefit, common development, and win-win cooperation. We do not engage in ideological confrontation, geopolitical rivalry, or bloc politics. We oppose unilateral sanctions, economic coercion, and attempts at decoupling or disrupting industrial and supply chains.

What has been achieved in the past decade shows that Belt and Road cooperation stands on the right side of history, is in keeping with the tide of our times, and represents the right path forward for humanity. We should stand firm and confident in the face of turmoil. We should, with a strong sense of responsibility to history, to the people, and to the world, work together to navigate various global risks and challenges, and create a bright future of peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit for future generations.

—A keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (October 18, 2023)

XXII

The rule of law goes hand in hand with opening up. Every step forward in opening up must be accompanied by a corresponding advance in the rule of law in foreign-related affairs. We must promote high-standard opening up based on the rule of law, enhance the rule of law in foreign-related affairs in the process of expanding opening up, and keep bolstering the rule-of-law foundation that underpins high-standard opening up. The rule of law is the best business environment. We should improve the open and transparent foreign-related legal system, strengthen the protection of intellectual property rights, safeguard the lawful rights and interests of foreign-funded companies, and effectively apply both domestic and international rules, so as to create a world-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized.

President Xi Jinping poses for a photo with international leaders prior to delivering his keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) at the Great Hall of the People, Beijing, September 5, 2024. PHOTO BY XINHUA REPORTER RAO AIMIN

We should actively align with and adopt high-standard international economic and trade rules, steadily expand institutional opening up, and enhance the liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment, with the goal of building a new system for a higher-standard open economy. Taking advanced international standards as our benchmark, we should incorporate in a timely way into law effective measures and practices for high-standard opening up when they are mature, including those developed by pilot free trade zones, so as to create new pacesetters for opening up that feature a higher level of openness, a better business environment, and stronger positive spillover effects. We should comprehensively enhance our capacity for ensuring the security of opening up in accordance with the law.

—Remarks at the 10th group study session of the Political Bureau of the 20th CPC Central Committee (November 27, 2023)

XXIII

The resolution also outlines plans for refining the institutions and mechanisms for high-standard opening up, which involve steadily expanding institutional opening up, deepening foreign trade structural reform, further reforming the management systems for inward and outward investment, optimizing the layout for regional opening up, and improving the mechanisms for high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.

—Explanation of the Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Further Deepening Reform Comprehensively to Advance Chinese Modernization (July 15, 2024)

XXIV

Furthering comprehensive reform and expanding high-standard opening up work hand in hand, with each reinforcing the other. The deeper reform advances, the higher the standard should be for opening up; the higher the standard of opening up, the greater the impetus it will provide for reform. We should steadily expand institutional opening up, align with international high-standard economic and trade rules, deepen the reform of management systems for foreign trade, foreign investment in China, and Chinese investment overseas, and create a first-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized. We should implement the strategy for upgrading pilot free trade zones and encourage these zones to pioneer integrated explorations, so they position themselves as new pacesetters for higher-standard opening up that generate strong growth spillovers.

—Remarks at a seminar for principal officials at the provincial and ministerial level on studying and implementing the guiding principles from the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee (October 29, 2024)

XXV

Opening to the outside world is a basic state policy pursued by China. We are advancing high-standard opening up and taking solid steps to expand institutional opening up in terms of rules, regulations, management, and standards. Here, I would like to reiterate that China remains unwavering in advancing opening up. We will more widely open our door; our policy of welcoming foreign investment has not changed and will not change.

China is the world’s second-largest consumer market and is home to the biggest middle-income group on the planet. This creates vast potential for investment and consumption. China is going all in on high-quality development and moving fast on green, digital, and smart transformation; its industrial support capabilities are robust. These factors make it an ideal place to apply advances emerging from the new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation. In China, foreign companies will be able to let their strengths and abilities shine and get ahead in global competition.

China has built a well-developed framework of regulations, policies, and procedures for foreign investment. We have strengthened legislation on foreign investment and pushed forward with trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, working to create a world-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized. We have also cultivated a policy environment that is transparent, stable, and predictable. Our negative list for foreign investment has been dramatically streamlined, with the original 190 items cut down to just 29 at the national level and 27 in pilot free trade zones. Market access restrictions on foreign investment in manufacturing have also been fully abolished. In recent years, the international economic environment has witnessed significant changes. In response, we have rolled out a series of policies to keep foreign investment stable and continued working to make China a favored destination for foreign investors. Local governments across the country have also improved services for foreign companies. Moving forward, companies can expect ongoing improvements in this area.

China enjoys long-standing political and social stability, and it is widely recognized as one of the safest and most secure countries in the world. I believe those of you living and working here in China can appreciate the Chinese cultural tradition of cherishing peace and valuing harmony and its social values of acting in good faith and being friendly to others.

In a word, China has been and will remain an ideal, safe, and promising destination for foreign investors. Embracing China is embracing opportunity, believing in China is believing in a better tomorrow, and investing in China is investing in the future. We hope that you in foreign companies will feel your concerns are eased and can pursue development in China with confidence, so as to share in the development opportunities available here.

—Remarks at a meeting with representatives of the international business community (March 28, 2025)

XXVI

In recent years, foreign investment in China has been affected by geopolitical factors that concern both international politics and diplomacy. I have often said that blowing out the lights of others won’t make yours shine any brighter; standing in the way of others will only end up blocking your own. Regarding China-US relations, which are of great concern to you, we have always believed that a stable, healthy, and sustainable relationship between the two countries is in the fundamental interests of both the Chinese and American people. The China-US economic and trade relationship is mutually beneficial by nature, so frictions in our economic and trade relations should be properly addressed through equality-based dialogue and negotiation. China will handle its relationship with the US according to the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and mutually beneficial cooperation. China remains firmly committed to peaceful development. We will actively work toward the resolution of international and regional hotspot issues and strive to foster an external environment that is favorable for the development of foreign companies in China.

—Remarks at a meeting with representatives of the international business community (March 28, 2025)

XXVII

Multilateralism is the inevitable choice if we are to address the difficulties and challenges facing our world, and economic globalization is an unstoppable trend of history. China upholds true multilateralism. We endeavor to promote inclusive economic globalization that benefits all. We are actively involved in global economic governance and committed to building an open world economy. Foreign companies, especially multinationals, play an important role in maintaining the global economic order and also bear important responsibilities in this regard. We should work together to steer economic globalization in the right direction.

We should jointly uphold the multilateral trading system. The WTO-centered multilateral trading system is the cornerstone of international trade. At present, the World Openness Index is on a downward slide. Unilateralism and protectionism are getting worse, posing severe challenges to multilateralism and free trade. We must remain true to the principles and rules of the WTO, continue to promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, and join hands with other countries to grow the pie of common development through greater openness. Many foreign companies, multinationals in particular, carry real weight on the international stage. We hope you will speak up as a voice of reason and take pragmatic steps to resist all attempts to reverse the course of history, reject zero-sum games, and promote win-win cooperation.

We should jointly maintain stable global industrial and supply chains, as this is crucial to the healthy development of the world economy. Decoupling and delinking of industrial and supply chains harm those who commit such acts as much as anyone else. They will not lead anywhere. Some foreign companies are chain leaders in their respective global industries. Together with a large number of upstream and downstream firms, they have created a symbiotic and mutually beneficial industrial ecosystem. By honoring contracts and putting down roots in host countries, they can both secure their own long-term development and contribute to the stability of global industrial and supply chains. We hope you will take the long view, say no to acts that disrupt the security and stability of global industrial and supply chains, and inject a measure of positive momentum and certainty into global development.

We should jointly protect the international environment and see that it is open and conducive to cooperation. A certain country is pursuing a “small yard, high fence” strategy and erecting tariff barriers. It is politicizing economic and trade issues, turning them into tools and weapons for exerting pressure and painting them as security imperatives. Companies are being forced to take sides and make choices that defy economic principles. This goes against both market rules and the general trend toward openness. Companies are the main actors in business operations, and we hope that all of you will respect market principles, safeguard market rules, and make independent business decisions. Let us work together to make the global economic order an open, diverse, and stable one. 

As an old Chinese saying goes, “No distance created by mountain or sea could stand in the way of kindred spirits.” With high expectations and goodwill toward the Chinese people, you have come from afar to invest in China. Our face-to-face meeting today has deepened our mutual understanding, strengthened our bonds, and bolstered our confidence. We in China will work with all foreign companies to expand cooperation on this dynamic and vibrant land and deliver business success for all.

—Remarks at a meeting with representatives of the international business community (March 28, 2025)

XXVIII

We should firmly uphold the UN-centered international system and the international order underpinned by international law. It is important that we pursue the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilizations Initiative. It is also important that we promote an equal and orderly multipolar world as well as inclusive economic globalization that benefits all. We, the countries of the Global South, should jointly safeguard the common interests of developing countries. Trade wars and tariff wars produce no winners, and protectionism will lead nowhere. We should resolutely uphold the multilateral trading system, keep global industrial and supply chains stable, and maintain an open and cooperative international environment. We should strengthen coordination and collaboration under the mechanisms of East Asia Cooperation and Lancang-Mekong Cooperation. This will ensure we bring greater stability and more positive momentum to a world fraught with turbulence and change.

—A signed article titled “Building on Past Achievements and Making New Advances in Pursuit of Shared Goals,” published in Vietnam’s Nhan Dan Newspaper (April 14, 2025)

The above are excerpts from President Xi Jinping’s remarks on continuing to advance high-standard opening up between December 2012 and April 2025.

(Originally appeared in Qiushi Journal, Chinese edition, No. 14, 2025)