Social sciences forum draws experts to Beijing

Organized by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the international symposium themed "China's Development and Opportunities for the World", was held on Sunday and Monday in Beijing. The forum attracted well-known scholars from around the world.

Experts from various fields, such as social sciences, science and technology, shared their perspectives on different topics.

Gao Xiang, CASS vice-president, attended and addressed the group at the opening ceremony. In his speech, Gao said Chinese development fits its national conditions, which paves the way for the miracle of development.

Reform and opening-up since 1978 has given dynamic impetus to Chinese development; meanwhile, China has contributed more than 30 percent to world economic growth over the past several years, and has become a significant propeller of global economic growth, Gao said.

Gao also stated that with multi-polarization and economic globalization, China will enhance cooperation with other countries to promote connectivity and development. The Belt and Road Initiative, especially, has improved the facilitation of infrastructure, trade and investment, and has benefited the world.

Patricia Rodriguez Holkemeyer, ambassador of Costa Rica to China, stressed in her speech that Chinese society has witnessed tremendous changes over the past seven decades. At present, China shares its development experiences with other countries, especially through the Belt and Road Initiative.

And China realized the importance of infrastructure and connectivity for the whole world, and has successfully participated in the ongoing globalization process, which has benefited so many in China, as well as Costa Rica.

Zhao Litao, senior research fellow at the East Asian Institute at the National University of Singapore, addressed the importance of research cooperation to grasp the opportunity of current global transformations marked by the rise of new economic, cultural and scientific centers.