Understanding the global significance of China’s development

Two months ago, the Fourth Session of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) and the 14th Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) successfully concluded. This not only vividly demonstrates the whole-process people’s democracy in China, but also serves as an important window for the world to observe the political and

economic trends in China. This year’s two sessions approved the “Outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development of the People’s Republic of China” (Outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan, 2026-2030), clearly demonstrating the following three roles China will play on the world stage.

First, a stabilising anchor for the world economy. Over the past five years, China’s economy has grown at an average annual rate of 5.4 per cent, contributing around 30 per cent to global economic growth, exceeding the combined contribution of the G7 countries. Looking to the future, as the

world’s largest potential consumer market and biggest emerging

economy, China’s foundation for long-term positive economic growth is more solid, and its trend of sustained growth is more stable. Against the backdrop of increased uncertainty in the international situation, China, with its predictable and consistent policies, will continue to be an important engine of global economic growth.

Second, a torchbearer of openness and cooperation. The Recommendations of the 15th Five-Year Plan clearly state that “opening up and cooperation for mutual benefit are integral to Chinese modernisation.” Over the years, China has transformed itself from the “world’s factory” to the “world’s market”, from commodity flows to institutional openness, and from passive to proactive openness, maintaining a steadfast pace of opening up. Faced with tariff wars, trade wars, and technology wars, China adheres to true multilateralism and firmly safeguards the free trade system and the stability of global supply chains. China has removed all market access restrictions for foreign investors in the manufacturing sector and expanded its zero-tariff treatment to cover all 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic ties, demonstrating its openness and responsibility as a major power.

Thirdly, a guardian of peaceful development. The two sessions emphasised upholding the independent foreign policy of peace and striving for the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. In the face of a complex and ever-changing international situation, China is committed to being a force for peace, stability, and progress. Since ancient times, the Chinese nation has upheld the concept of “universal harmony” and “harmony among all nations,” engaging in exchanges and cultural exchanges with nations outside its borders. This historical tradition and civilisational genes determine that today’s China pursues common development, ensuring not only its own well-being but also the well-being of others.

Barbados is a good friend and important partner of China in Latin America and the Caribbean. Although geographically apart, the two countries have always adhered to the principles of mutual respect, equality, common development, and mutual learning, and the friendship between the two peoples has remained strong over time. In recent years, under the strategic guidance of the leaders of both countries, the bilateral relations have achieved significant development, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples. “Bosom friends make distance disappear” is just a vivid portrait of the development of our bilateral relations.

Next year, the two countries will celebrate the important milestone of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Standing at this new historical starting point, we expect all sectors of Barbados to seize the opportunities brought by China’s two sessions and the 15th Five-Year Plan, to continuously consolidate political mutual trust, deepen existing cooperation, explore cooperation in emerging fields such as the blue ocean, digital economy, green energy, agricultural technology, and healthcare by advancing the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, so as to promote the further development of China- Barbados cooperation, enhance the steady and sustained development of bilateral relations, thus benefiting both countries and peoples.


Article by H.E. Zheng Bingkai, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of

China to Barbados.