Looking back over China's 40 years' reform and opening-up

China's has see immense growth in the past 4 decades and the foundation stone was laid down by late leader Deng Xiaoping. The leaders of China have worked hard and with good governance and the dedicated and sincere efforts of the people have made the day possible that now China is on the second position in the world after US.

The current scenario laid down by President Xi is governing China as a socialist economy with Chinese characteristics. The steps taken in this regard making the world more connected through the Belt and Road Initiative, building roads, highways, ports, energy projects with other countries on a win-win partnership basis has made the existence of world more meaningful.

I have witnessed growth in China in the roads, highways, airports, ports, developing hubs like Tianjin, Hebei, Beijing making exports clearances faster, development of high-speed railways so that all people can travel irrespective of them rich or poor at reasonable rates and save on time in reaching their respective destinations for work. The building up of big restaurant chains, big shopping malls, cinema halls, amusement parks for children, for tourism opening up to foreigners free visa entry for 72 hours for travel are all in line for the immense growth of China.

The innovation in technology sectors is visible in drones, robots making cost of production more efficient and timely, artificial intelligence in business sectors, banks have all led to change in the lives of Chinese and foreign residents China . The use of apps like WeChat, Weibo, qq has knitted the world into a small sphere where now connectivity is faster and more meaningful, saves time, energy and costs. The payments made for day-to-day transactions through WeChat and Alipay has made the economy cashless and now there’s no need to carry cash in wallets.

The issuance of green cards to attain good foreign talent, also issuing working card a similar identity card like the Chinese people is opening more doors for foreigners and the acceptance in China. Now so many foreigners are well versed with Mandarin language as well as the Chinese culture and Chinese festivals is all due to openness of China and treating foreigners at equal level to the Chinese.

The importance of the organizations like the SCO, G20, BRICS, and other summits is also a welcoming sign of China connecting to the world emerging economies. China today is well connected to the world and the world is dependent on China for manufacturing as well as services as they have a leading edge over others. The development of the AIIB, ADB banks are also highlighting growth for the world on the whole.

Big Cities like Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Hangzhou are places where you can see presence of foreigners. The foreign brands KFC, McDonalds, Pizza Hut, Starbucks are doing so well in business apart from other Chinese cuisines and delicacies. Many foreigners have bought houses and cars in China as the place is quite safe and no terrorist activities are taking place in the country. The atmosphere is more conducive for work. Many foreign banks are also doing good business and China encourages foreign investments in the country. China is the leading business partner in many countries on investment front as well. The growth of automotive industry is remarkable with the BMWs, Mercedes Benz, Audis seen all around in China.

My wish to the Chinese government and the people of China is “Jia you”, which in simple words means keep doing your good efforts and make the world a healthy living space, with good environment and keep on giving a chance to the world on win-win situations and partnerships.

Sukrit Chadha, who came from India, has lived in China for more than 13 years. He is the head of the China office of a Singapore fabric company.