China at 77: Development, Openness, Responsibility and Partnership 

By H.E. Dr. HUANG Shifang, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Mauritius

A few days right before the 77^th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, President XI Jinping and his US counterpart President Donald Trump agreed in Washington to build a constructive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability on the basis of respect, fairness, and reciprocity. The landmark consensus reached between the two sides are of global significance, sending out a clear and reassuring signal to the rest of the world.

Since its founding on Oct.1^st 1949, despite of ever-evolving international dynamics, the P.R. China is always a major force for global peace, stability and development. Today’s China is pursuing high-quality development, opening wider to the world, contributing to global governance and deepening partnerships with countries around the world, including major countries like the US, so as to bring greater opportunities, stability and certainty to global development.

A China of High-quality Development

In 2026, China launched its 15^th Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development with high-quality development as the guiding philosophy. Amid complex and volatile internal and external environment, China’s economy has been demonstrating great resilience and dynamism. In the first half of this year, China’s GDP grew by 4.7 percent. Innovation-driven development is gaining momentum, with new growth drivers, represented by high-end manufacturing, the digital economy and modern services, contributing over 40 percent to economic expansion. Emerging industries including new-energy vehicles, robotics and AI are flourishing. The green and low-carbon transition is also deepening. By the end of May 2026, non-fossil energy accounts for 62% of China’s total installed power generation capacity, which leads in the world in sustainable development and combating climate change. China’s contribution to global economic growth stands at around 30 percent, keeping it a key driver and source of growth for global development. At a time of growing uncertainty around the world, China’s development brings a valuable sense of stability and certainty.

A China of High-level Openness

China continues to promote high-standard opening up. Foreign trade reached a new high. Visa-free policies have facilitated people-to-people exchanges. Institutional opening up is steadily expanding. China has granted zero-tariff treatment to 63 countries, including Mauritius and is using open platforms such as the China International Import Expo to facilitate the entry of more high-quality goods and services into the Chinese market. These policies have been producing significant results. In the first 6 months of this year, Mauritius’s exports to China surged by 127.6% year on year, already surpassing the total export volume recorded last year. Notably, exports of sugar products skyrocketed by 1,497.1%. China stresses that there are no winners in a trade war or a tariff war, and protectionism offers no way out. During President Xi Jinping’s state visit to the United States, the two sides have reached an arrangement on reciprocal tariff reductions worth US$30 billion, which will help strengthen trade cooperation between the two countries. All this shows that “Export to China”, “Shop in China” and “Invest in China” are now becoming new trends. As China opens its door wider and wider, more and more opportunities are being shared with the world.

A China of Global Responsibility

China has always been practicing true multilateralism, upholding international fairness and justice, and promoting the building of a community with a shared future for humanity. In response to common challenges faced by the world, President Xi Jinping put forward the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI), the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) and the Global Governance Initiative (GGI). They offer Chinese ideas and solutions for promoting peace, stability and prosperity around the world. China also participated actively in the governance of emerging fields like AI and global public affairs. Following launch of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization in Shanghai last July, a China-U.S. AI Dialogue will be established between the two major AI players in November to exchange views on risks and benefits related to AI. Xiamen, a southeast city of China, is biding to host the Secretariat of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction, known as the BBNJ Agreement. We look forward to the support of all states, including Mauritius, and stand ready to make our contribution to the global ocean governance.

As conflicts continue in the Middle East, China has made every effort for peace. President Xi Jinping has put forward four proposals for maintaining and promoting peace and stability in the Middle East. At his meeting with President Trump, the two sides agreed that Iran should honor its commitment to not developing nuclear weapons, and no country or institution can be allowed to impose tolls on international waterways. China will firmly be a force for peace, a force for stability, and a force for progress in the world.

A China of Global Partnerships

China continues to deepen and expand global partnerships featuring equality, openness and cooperation, and develop friendship and cooperation with countries around the world. Not long ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the 18^th  BRICS Summit in New Delhi and held meetings with leaders of BRICS countries, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. China and the United States have agreed to support each other in successfully hosting the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting and the G20 Summit, with the two heads of state expected to attend each other’s meetings. China’s global partnerships are also reflected in concrete cooperation that delivers tangible benefits to people. High-quality Belt and Road cooperation has been delivering tangible results in employment creation and poverty reduction in participating countries. China-Africa cooperation is also a shining example of solidarity and cooperation among developing countries. Through the platform Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), China and Africa have actively implemented the outcomes of the Beijing Summit held in 2024, benefiting the people of China and Africa. China stands ready to work with its global partners to make greater contributions to world peace and common development.

Next year will mark the 55^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Mauritius. Since 1972, our two countries have continuously consolidated political mutual trust and maintained sound development of bilateral relations. We sincerely appreciate Mauritius for adhering to the one-China principle and will continue to support the just stance of Mauritius on sovereignty and territorial integrity with regards to Chagos. China stands ready to work with Mauritius to carry forward our traditional friendship, deepen our strategic partnership so as to better safeguard the common interests of developing countries and jointly build a better world.