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Reform, opening up have led China to sustainable development

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-10-24 00:08

"Since reform and opening-up, China has achieved eye-catching development and gradually risen up to be a global power. What's more important is that reform and opening-up have helped China find a path of sustainable development," the Colombian ambassador to China, Guillermo Ricardo Velez, told Xinhua in an interview Wednesday.

China is developing and has become increasingly open in the political, economic and social fields over the last three decades. It lifted 400 million people out of poverty and created world-class modern metropolises like Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, said the ambassador who is currently home on vacation.

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Having worked in China for more than four years, Velez has witnessed the effects of China's reform and opening-up policy. He said the economic boom in China could not have happened without the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party.

In practice, the Chinese Communist Party has summed up the theory of building socialism with Chinese characteristics, he added.

Chinese foreign policy, oriented toward peaceful development and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries, has created a friendly international environment for China's swift development, he said.

The fact that China has maintained an annual GDP growth of over 9 percent over the last 20 years proves that the nation has found a way for sustainable development, Velez said.

China's development has promoted its international status and instilled nationalist pride among increasing numbers of its citizens, he added.

When asked to comment on the Beijing Olympic Games, Velez used the word "excellent" repeatedly.

He said watching the opening ceremony in person was one of the most wonderful moments of his life.

He expressed admiration for the Chinese government and people for presenting the world with an unprecedented and perfect Olympiad even after the devastating earthquake in May, which hit Sichuan and a few other Chinese provinces.

The Chinese sports delegation's superior performance on the ground proves once again that China has become a big power, he said.

Meanwhile, the Colombian ambassador dismissed the theory of a "China Threat" put forward by some countries.

He believes that China has become a center of global economic development.

China's rise will not constitute a threat to other countries. On the contrary, its development will benefit the whole world, Velez said.

Reviewing Sino-Colombian relations since the two countries established bilateral ties 29 years ago, Velez said the relations are good and have great potential for development.

He pointed out that Colombia adheres to the one-China principle and hopes to push forward political, trade, cultural, educational and military exchanges and cooperation with China.

Velez said Colombia has a lot to learn from China's successful experiences, especially in the area of infrastructure development.

At the end of the interview, Velez welcomed Chinese companies to invest in Colombia and thus contribute to the prosperity of both countries.