Bank chair applauds China's achievements

Neil Ge, CEO of DBS Bank (China).[Provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Neil Ge, CEO of DBS Bank (China), a wholly owned subsidiary of Singapore-based DBS Bank, applauded China's achievements in the last five years and is looking forward to the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China to usher in even greater times ahead.

At the opening ceremony of the 19th CPC National Congress on Wednesday, President Xi Jinping said "historic shifts" have been made in the cause of the Communist Party of China and the country in the past five years. During this period, China's GDP rose from 54 trillion yuan ($8 trillion) to 80 trillion yuan.

Ge regarded the past five years as "extraordinary times for China, when the whole world marveled at its achievements, from domestic development and growth to increasingly significant international impact."

He said China has successfully upgraded its economy and transformed into a world leader in innovations and technology applications. From the launch of free trade zones to the unveiling of the Xiongan New Area, China's economy has grown in vitality and resilience.

"The 19th CPC National Congress is to reaffirm the directions taken and ensure that there are even greater times ahead. It is with deep respect that we are awed when President Xi said that it ushers in a new epoch," he said, noting that great inspirations can be drawn from the blueprints that were laid out.

Domestically, growth and wealth will be more equitably benefitting the entire population; internationally, the Belt and Road Initiative will have further positive consequences for the livelihood of large numbers of people living in the less developed world that are longing for development opportunities. It augurs well for the future an interconnected world, when globalization is suffering from backlashes elsewhere, he added.

"Bankers like us saw great sparks ahead that we will want to dedicate ourselves to this wonderful cause and contribute to the peace of the world and the betterment of the society by participating in and supporting these initiatives," he said.