Xi offers fresh thinking for a new era

The 19th CPC National Congress introduced Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. How do you think it will guide China's future?

There is a long tradition of leaders who have politics associated with their names; for instance, Reaganomics or "Thatcherism". Xi Jinping Thought will need to take on board the realities and challenges of a new era, including a world where boundaries are more fluid and often invisible, and implementing ideas is based more than ever on consensus, debate and a willingness to embrace many different viewpoints to achieve a new model for China.

General Secretary Xi Jinping said China has embarked on a "new era" in its development, while spelling out a two-stage development plan for now until the mid-21st century. What do you think of that? What is happening in China that impresses you most?

One of the most important areas of development is in terms of research and development and technological advances in China. Whether is it high-quality mobile telephony, cashless payment or new forms of social media, there is a willingness in China to embrace the new cyberworld.

Xi has pledged to develop a modern economy. What are your expectations for that?

This is an encouraging sign, but it means some tough choices. China's local government debt will have to be addressed. China's markets are still quite closed to outside companies, and a genuinely open and modern economy will have to allow more space for international investment to reach its full potential.

China is still the world's fastest-growing economy, and millions of people have been lifted out of poverty. What do you feel has been the key to such achievements? And what do you think of the Chinese development model?

The growth-oriented strategy of Deng Xiaoping was a key factor in allowing China to expand its economy so fast. In addition, China was lucky to have a high savings and export rate at the same time that the United States chose to become a debtor nation. So the mutual dependency of China and the US helped boost the Chinese economy and allow millions of Chinese to get richer. The future Chinese development model has great potential, but there is a limit to what can be done with infrastructure. China will need to import as well as export.

China has been making efforts to reform and develop the global governance system. How do you think China's experience and wisdom can benefit countries and people around the world?

China has a great deal to teach the world, and a lot to learn from the world, too. China has always been most successful when it was most open and transparent. Being willing to put out that message－that China is genuinely willing to be part of a cooperative international system and to make its own governance subject to openness and transparency－would be a major and important contribution.