Reform, opening up brings enormous changes to China

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-10-22 10:34

Enormous changes have taken place in China since the inauguration of its reform and opening up policy 30 years ago, said Koichi Kato, chairman of the Japan-China Friendship Association, in an exclusive interview with Xinhua recently.

"China has witnessed an 'explosive' growth in its productivity since it adopted the policy of reform and opening up in 1978," said Kato, who is also a member of Japan's House of the Representatives.

"Now people in the world regard China, rather than Japan, as an economic power, or at least refer to China as the 'world factory', " he said, adding that the living conditions of ordinary people have greatly improved.

"It is a fact that there is a gap in developing level between the eastern and the western regions, but China's drive for reform and opening up over the past 30 years has at least brought substantial benefits to urban residents," Kato said.

"And the society has become more transparent and vigorous," he said.

Concerning the changes in the political area, Kato noted that the political environment in China has become more open, and people could express their ideas and opinions more freely.

"The atmosphere has become more congenial and relaxed in talks with Chinese officials," he said. "And we have more chances to meet them alone and individually."

Kato also stressed the progress that has been made in bilateral economic ties over the 30 years.

"Japan and China have made such rapid progress in their economic relations, notably in areas of two-way trade between the two nations and Japan's direct investment in China, that the two economies are now interdependent," he said.

"From the perspective of economic development, the two countries 'share a common destiny'," he added.

In response to questions concerning bilateral political ties, the friendship body chief said that Japan-China relations are in a transitional stage from being cautious and courteous in the pre- reform era towards a more frank and open relationship.

Upbeat about the future of Japan-China ties, Kato said he was confident that the two sides will surely foster a mutually- recognized mature relationship, which allows frank exchange of respective opinions.