Outside forces won't distract China from expanded opening up

China expanding opening up cannot, and will not, be distracted by any outside forces, Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said on Wednesday.

President Xi Jinping announced a series of measures to expand opening-up on Tuesday when he delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia, like easing market access, improving the investment environment, enhancing intellectual property protection and expanding imports.

The announcement of the measures had nothing to do with current trade disputes between China and the United States, Geng told a daily news conference.

He noted that the measures were to implement plans proposed in the report delivered by Xi at the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the Government Work Report for 2018, and it is based on China's own requirements, schedule and roadmap.

It takes a great deal of thinking, careful arrangements and serious consideration to introduce so many major measures and decisions, which cannot be made in a short period of time, he said.

China is firmly committed to a basic national policy of opening-up, and will continue to pursue development, he said, adding that the door to openness will not be closed, but only be opened wider.

Geng said the announcement of the measures shows China's firm determination to promote the liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment, build an open world economy, and engage in win-win cooperation with other countries.

"It also reflects China's opposition to unilateralism and trade protectionism", he said, adding that China believes that the implementation of these measures will benefit not only China, but also the world.

Xi's announcement of the measures received positive responses and praise from the international community, he said, adding that many foreign leaders and heads of international organizations present at the forum agreed that China has already sent a clear message and it's time for the US to respond.

He noted that China hopes the US will seriously consider making the right decisions instead of wrong ones.

He also reiterated that China will strike back if the US further harms the country's interests.