Foreign observers comment on Xi's report to CPC congress

Xi Jinping delivered a report at the opening of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on Wednesday, which has drawn great attention and expectations from across the world. The following are some of the comments on Xi's report.

Fredrik Erixon, director of the Brussels-based European Center for International Political Economy (ECIPE)

President Xi's speech was notable and will go down in Chinese history as an important one. He lays out an idea of China which reflects its past economic achievements and the political reform around it. With collapsing confidence about the West and declining authority of Western leadership, President Xi sees an opportunity for China to help fashion the world.

Helga Zepp-LaRouche, president of the Germany-based Schiller Institute

It is extremely noteworthy, that President Xi put such a central emphasis on the commitment of the CPC to provide for a“better, happier life”, “mei hao sheng huo” for the Chinese people. That Chinese leadership putting the concept upfront is a shining example for the whole world.

Economist Jim O'Neill, who created the "BRIC" acronym

President Xi's speech highlighted important issues for international observers to understand better; China continues to see growing its economy and the wealth of its 1.3 billion inhabitants as significant. If the economy grows above $12 trillion it will be three times bigger than that of Japan. To put this in context, in 2001 I forecast that China's economy might equal Japan's in size by 2015.

China's rising consumer demand remains the single most important development in the world economy. This, and two other things President Xi highlighted -- China's peaceful nature and the absence of foreign expansionist ambition -- suggests to me, that China will continue on its path to greater global importance.

President Xi Jinping is moving China to a new economic and foreign policy. It is part feeling the stones and part pursuing a vision of 2021 and 2049. He knows what he is talking about and his steps allow for unexpected errors to be managed. The world is transforming and acceptance of different systems with shared good goals can enable the West to find growth again. Without Chinese growth and the Belt and Road Initiative the West faces dark choices.

Rebecca Nadin, head of the Risk and Resilience program at the Overseas Development Institute

It is encouraging to see that President Xi's speech points to regulation of the "environmental regulation system". This demonstrates that the Party recognizes China's already significant pollution of water and soil resources, soil erosion, land degradation, and ecosystem and habitat loss.

In recent years, China has been investing scientific, financial and human resources to tackle environmental problems and demonstrating strong global leadership on climate change.

The decision to establish regulatory agencies to manage State-owned natural resource assets and monitor natural ecosystems will ensure that China's ongoing rapid urbanization and industrial development do not accelerate rates of ecological degradation.

This will ensure improved standards of living for all people; assets, infrastructure and economic sectors are also less vulnerable to suffering harm from climate impacts.

Christopher Bovis, professor of international business law, University of Hull, UK

President Xi's speech provides direction for China's policies. The emphasis he placed on China's domestic policies are positive, and in line with previous directions. Emphasis on the need to move up the value chain, from heavy industries to financial and technology sectors are what China needs. It is also encouraging to see President Xi's comments on China's commitment to further open up, which is a crucial part of China's internationalization process. President Xi's emphasis on environmental protection is also very significant, as China has taken a leadership and is now a global driver on environmental protection issues.

Rana Mitter, director of the University of Oxford China Center

The most significant part of President Xi's speech is the firm pledge to make China a major actor in the world. At a time of major flux in world order, it will be increasingly important for China to play a stabilizing, responsible role when it comes to questions of trade, security and international order. As China takes a greater role in the world, it will also have to shoulder many of the responsibilities of a great power, encouraging freer markets and a more transparent international environment. It will also have to tackle issues such as climate change and provide leadership there. The world will be watching from now on.

President Xi has made major commitments to economic reform in China. On a variety of issues, such as taxation policy, opening of markets and convertibility of the RMB, the world is keen to see solid and steady movement from China at a time when the global economy is still unstable.