In an era defined by geopolitical uncertainty and rapidly evolving economic landscapes, one lesson from history remains constant: openness fuels progress, while isolation breeds stagnation. Few examples in the modern world demonstrate this as clearly as China, whose transformation since the introduction of its reform and opening-up policy in 1978 has been nothing short of extraordinary.

What started as a fundamental experiment has evolved into one of the most remarkable development narratives in history. Hundreds of millions have been taken out of absolute poverty, industrialization has accelerated at an unprecedented pace and China now stands as a global economic powerhouse. While many nations are turning inward, redefining global supply chains, and evolving economic governance, China is pursuing a different path characterized by increased openness, greater integration and a commitment to shared development and prosperity.

Four decades of dedication to openness

Openness has been a defining characteristic of China's economic approach in the past four decades. This commitment has gained pace since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 2012, when China adopted a more proactive and strategic framework for growth. China has seamlessly integrated into global industrial, supply and innovation chains, modernizing its economy, strengthening its industrial capabilities and positively contributing to global markets.

The Report to the 20th CPC National Congress and the resolutions from its recent third Plenary Session reaffirm high-standard opening-up as a key pillar of China's future development. This high-quality opening-up not only involves quality governance, institution alignment, increased transparency and improved cooperation, but also promotes more intelligent and sustainable methods.

Strategic measures representing long-term vision

China's approach to openness is a strategic investment that is shown through tangible policy actions. One notable example is the expansion of the country's unilateral visa-free program, which now includes 75 countries as of July this year which is a major move toward facilitating people-to-people interactions and enhancing global connectivity.

More is being done to open up markets in commodities, services, capital flows and labor mobility. Significantly, China is also promoting unilateral access to least developed nations, ensuring that global trade openness aligns with equity and shared prosperity. China has also gone further to enhance its domestic business environment. From 2017 to 2024, it has reduced its foreign investment negative list on eight occasions from 190 restricted items down to just 29 on the national list, and 27 in pilot free trade zones. This signals a clear willingness to welcome more foreign participation. Such reforms minimize regulations, enhance transparency and promote fair competition between local and foreign investors.

BRI: A global platform for mutual growth

China's commitment to transparency is not confined to its domestic policies but extends to foreign countries through monumental ventures such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The BRI has sealed more than 200 cooperation agreements in over 150 countries and has become one of the most significant platforms for cross-border development. It bridges continents through infrastructure, trade, financial collaboration and cultural interactions by building fresh engines of growth, especially in the Global South. High-quality BRI cooperations are increasingly focused on sustainability, digital connectivity and innovation by ensuring that future projects deliver both economic benefits and long-term resilience. With the shifting landscape of global governance structures, China's experience with large-scale development projects positions it as an important participant in the discourse of new forms of international collaborations.

The road ahead: Opening wider, opening smarter

The world is in a very critical inflection point. The challenges that are faced beyond the national borders include economic fragmentation, technological competition and geopolitical tensions. In this regard, high-standard opening-up as committed by China, has a global meaning. To the international community, China's further openness signals stronger, more resilient supply chains.

International business market expansion

Increased possibilities of developing nations to join the global trade are based on shared values of innovation, climate action and technological collaboration. For China, high-standard opening-up offers strategic benefits that define accelerated modernization, good governance and strengthened institutional quality. It also boosts China's competitiveness in international markets, allowing for greater involvement in the formulation of international economic regulations. The decision to pursue greater openness is not only an economic decision made by China; it is a vision for a more interconnected, cooperative and prosperous world.

The writer is associated with the School of Public Policy and Management at Tsinghua University and serves as the editor of the China Desk at Internews Pakistan. 

The views don't necessarily reflect those of China Daily.

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