China

Interview with EU Delegation to China

Published

9 years ago

March 10, 2015

People's Daily

Hans Dietmar SCHWEISGUThead of the EU Delegation to China:

“I am impressed with China’s determination to deepen comprehensive reform and opening-up.”

“By and large, the European public has a very positive image of China and admires for its achievements. Over the last 35 years, I think they generally paid admiration for China as an ancient civilization with a great history, a great place to visit. It has been for many years as a very popular tourist destination.

“China shouldn’t be worried too much about a bit of criticism, it is strong enough to be able to take that.

“I’m personally optimistic about China’s future for the following reason. I believe that China could not just go on growing like it did in the last 35 years, there has to be a change in the economic model, because China has been rising so fast, it has achieved now the state of a middle-income country, and there is still problem with regards to income distribution and wealth gap.

“Many people including myself are quite impressed by the decision formed in the 3^rd Plenum of the 18^th CPC Central Committee in 2013, about the determination of deepening comprehensive reform and opening-up. If this is done right, it will slow down China’s growth, but I think it will make the economy stronger and more sustainable in the long term.” (People’s Daily)