Dialogue for a Better Understanding of China

On 18 March 2025, the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) hosted the Dialogue for a Better Understanding of China in Beijing. Professor Wang Yiwei, Deputy Director of the Institute of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, Renmin University of China, and Professor Xu Jie, Director of the Department of Enterprise Economics and Management at the China National Academy of Administration, shared their thoughts on the outcomes of China’s Two Sessions and opportunities China’s development strategy could bring to the region. 

Ambassador Majintha Jayesinghe of Sri Lanka and Ambassador Dr. Krishna Prasad Oli of Nepal as special guests, and diplomats from the Embassies of ASEAN Member States (AMS) and South Asian countries in China, as well as representatives from the Department of Asian Affairs of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China attended the dialogue.  

In his opening remarks, Secretary General Shi Zhongjun of the ACC highlighted the significance of this year’s Two Sessions and expounded on three key points from the Government Work Report to see China’s unwavering pursue of high-quality development and high-level opening-up. He said the target of around 5% GDP growth through reforms and policy incentives empowers the world economy against global uncertainties. The determination of developing new quality productive forces through sci-tech and industrial innovation drives global technological revolutions and opens new frontiers for worldwide growth and cooperation. The steadfast commitment to high-level opening-up creates vast opportunities for ASEAN countries and catalyzes collaboration between ASEAN and China in green and digital economies and supply chain resilience. He emphasized the Dialogue now in its second year will continue to serve as a premier platform for diplomats of the regional countries to engage with China’s leading institutions and top experts for a better understanding of China.

Professor Xu Jie gave her detailed insights on 2025 Government Work Report. She said the report set forth main expected development targets for 2025, such as a GDP growth rate, urban unemployment rate control, as well as consumer prices and proposed measures to stabilize the real estate market, expand high-level opening-up and enhance the innovation vitality of private enterprises. The Report also outlined plans to cultivate emerging industries, optimize the layout of strategic science and technology forces and guard against systemic risks, aiming to achieve high-quality development and lay a solid foundation for the 15th Five-Year Plan. 

Professor Wang Yiwei highlighted China’s support for ASEAN’s central role in regional cooperation, and commitment to building a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future. He said China’s development and innovation are not only driving China’s own economic growth but also offers an alternative model for global south countries. China’s high-level opening-up such as joining in the RCEP and the intention to join the CPTPP shows its determination to promote economic cooperation with ASEAN and contribute to the world economic recovery. China’s policies and initiatives including the Belt and Road, Global Development Initiative offer new opportunities for ASEAN countries to enhance economic cooperation and achieve mutual benefits.  

In the Q&A section, participating diplomats had a lively interaction with the scholars, canvassing a range of topics including opportunities and challenges brought by new quality productive forces to ASEAN-China cooperation, the impact of Chinese investment to regional countries in manufacturing industries in particular, transparent and regulatory policy for  foreign capital inflows, the question on so called overcapacity of NEVs in China, negative trend of technology competition incurred by the US, regional security risk amid defense budget hike and etc.