‘China’s participation has stabilised the global market’

BERLIN: With China’s “fascinating” development in the past five years and providing more public goods to the world, Europe will benefit from a strong Chinese economy, an expert on China has said.

Nele Noesselt, a professor with the Institute of East Asian Studies at the University of Duisburg-Essen, spoke highly of China’s reform measures, especially those listed in a landmark blueprint in 2013.

Issued by the Communist Party of China (CPC), the document, known as “The Decision on Major Issues Concerning Comprehensively Deepening Reforms”, stipulated the market’s leading role in the allocation of resources.

“All these efforts will lead to greener and sustainable development and growth,” Noesselt said. On Chinese foreign policy in the past five years, he said China is no longer seen as a passive observer or bystander.

The change emerged during the 2008 global financial crisis and has become more obvious since 2013, with the Chinese government putting forward an array of ideas.

“Chinese companies are growing globally, calling for China’s participation in world security affairs to ensure (Chinese) interests. At the same time, the domestic economy is more and more intertwined with the world economy,” Noesselt said.

“China’s participation in the international system has somehow stabilised the global market.”

The Belt and Road Initiative, one of the major outcomes of the new trend in China’s foreign policy, will bring benefits to European countries, he said.

The initiative, proposed by President Xi Jinping in 2013, aims to create greater trade, infrastructure and people-to-people links between Asia, Europe and Africa by reviving and expanding the ancient Silk Trade routes.