China’s door opens wider to outside world: Premier Li

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Chinese Premier Li Keqiang meets with foreign representatives of the China Development Forum (CDF) 2017 in Beijing, capital of China, March 20, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang meets with foreign representatives of the China Development Forum (CDF) 2017 in Beijing, capital of China, March 20, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

China will open its door wider to the outside world, said Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Monday.

Li made the remarks when meeting with overseas representatives at the China Development Forum (CDF) in Beijing.

China will relax market access in service industries, manufacturing and mining, said Li

China supports foreign-funded enterprises to list and issue bonds in China and participate in national science and technology programs as well as infrastructure construction, he said.

China will streamline the administrative procedures for foreign investments and create a fair competition environment for all companies registered in China, he said.

He welcomed more foreign companies to invest in China, cooperate with Chinese enterprises and enjoy development opportunities together.

Li said the Chinese economy has achieved steady growth, with continued improvement in its quality and efficiency.

China is making efforts to advance supply side structural reform, seek growth driven by innovation, promote entrepreneurship and the “Internet Plus” plan, and to streamline administration, he said.

China will continue to boost the healthy development of emerging industries and is willing to deepen cooperation with foreign governments and enterprises in this field, said Li.

He hoped that other countries overcome the problems of globalization and properly deal with frictions and divergences through dialogue and consultation.

China will steadfastly advance the liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment, safeguard multilateral trade and support open and transparent regional free trade arrangements, said the premier.

Li answered questions from Stuart Gulliver, the chief executive of the bank HSBC, former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Lawrence Summers, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Martin Wolf, chief economics commentator for the Financial Times and Columbia University professor Edmund Phelps.

Overseas representatives lauded China’s remarkable progress in stabilizing growth and restructuring the economy, as well as China’s active role in coping with climate change.

The representatives voiced their willingness of participating in China’s reform and opening-up process and expanding their partnerships with China.

The CDF, organized by the Development Research Center of the State Council, is a high-level meeting that gathers leaders from international institutions, academia and companies worldwide. It is usually held after the annual sessions of China’s national legislature and political advisory body.

China’s door opens wider to outside world: Premier Li

image_pdfimage_print

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang meets with foreign representatives of the China Development Forum (CDF) 2017 in Beijing, capital of China, March 20, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang meets with foreign representatives of the China Development Forum (CDF) 2017 in Beijing, capital of China, March 20, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

China will open its door wider to the outside world, said Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Monday.

Li made the remarks when meeting with overseas representatives at the China Development Forum (CDF) in Beijing.

China will relax market access in service industries, manufacturing and mining, said Li

China supports foreign-funded enterprises to list and issue bonds in China and participate in national science and technology programs as well as infrastructure construction, he said.

China will streamline the administrative procedures for foreign investments and create a fair competition environment for all companies registered in China, he said.

He welcomed more foreign companies to invest in China, cooperate with Chinese enterprises and enjoy development opportunities together.

Li said the Chinese economy has achieved steady growth, with continued improvement in its quality and efficiency.

China is making efforts to advance supply side structural reform, seek growth driven by innovation, promote entrepreneurship and the “Internet Plus” plan, and to streamline administration, he said.

China will continue to boost the healthy development of emerging industries and is willing to deepen cooperation with foreign governments and enterprises in this field, said Li.

He hoped that other countries overcome the problems of globalization and properly deal with frictions and divergences through dialogue and consultation.

China will steadfastly advance the liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment, safeguard multilateral trade and support open and transparent regional free trade arrangements, said the premier.

Li answered questions from Stuart Gulliver, the chief executive of the bank HSBC, former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Lawrence Summers, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Martin Wolf, chief economics commentator for the Financial Times and Columbia University professor Edmund Phelps.

Overseas representatives lauded China’s remarkable progress in stabilizing growth and restructuring the economy, as well as China’s active role in coping with climate change.

The representatives voiced their willingness of participating in China’s reform and opening-up process and expanding their partnerships with China.

The CDF, organized by the Development Research Center of the State Council, is a high-level meeting that gathers leaders from international institutions, academia and companies worldwide. It is usually held after the annual sessions of China’s national legislature and political advisory body.

UN urges building more just, equal societies to increase happiness and well-being worldwide

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20 March 2017 – Speaking at an event today marking the International Day of Happiness, the deputy United Nations chief called for more inclusive, equitable and balanced approaches to development that promote sustainability, poverty eradication, happiness and well-being of all peoples.

&#8220Many countries have undertaken efforts to develop broader measures of progress, often through public consultations, parliamentary commissions, and efforts to develop new indicators and understanding of well-being,&#8221 said Amina Mohammed, the UN Deputy Secretary-General.

Cautioning that pursing only economic growth and disregarding social and environmental dimensions can have negative impact on human well-being and can result in growing inequalities and environmental degradation, she underlined that development should not take place &#8220at all costs.&#8221

&#8220Not at the cost of environment or the marginalization of the poor and other vulnerable groups,&#8221 she added.

In her remarks, Ms. Mohammed noted that well-being did not depend solely on income but also included other factors such as personal and job security, fundamental freedoms, a clean environment, as well as having strong family and social relations.

VIDEO: Global Happiness Council launched at the United Nations

&#8220These human needs can be fulfilled in societies where people are empowered to pursue their own goals that ensure their personal well-being &#8211 in societies that are inclusive and egalitarian, and where human rights are cherished and respected,&#8221 she said.

The deputy UN chief recalled that the 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have provided a blue print to collectively building such societies and their recognition that ending poverty needs to go hand-in-hand with strategies that build economic growth and addresses a range of social needs including education, health, social protection, and job opportunities, while tackling climate change and environmental protection.

Highlighting the organization’s work to promote and secure the well-being and happiness of all peoples she urged everyone to renew the commitment to continue building more just and equal societies to increase people’s happiness and well-being worldwide.

Bicycling for love

Also today, commemorating the International Day, the UN Bookshop in New York hosted the launch of The Amazing Story of the Man Who Cycled from India to Europe for Love that recounted the story of artist Pradyumna Kumar, or PK.

Born in a poor family belonging to the so called &#8220untouchable&#8221 caste in India, PK undertook a bicycle journey through Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, Bulgaria, (former) Yugoslavia, Germany, Austria and Denmark to be reunited with the love of his life, Charlotte, in Sweden, whose portrait he had drawn a few months earlier, in India.

They have been happily married for more than 40 years now.