Expert hails achievement in historic 75-yr journey

NEW YORK — "Standards of living, the rule of law, and science and technology" are "three core features" of China's historic development in its 75-year journey from one of the world's poorest countries to a global economic powerhouse, Robert Lawrence Kuhn, chairman of the US Kuhn Foundation, told Xinhua in an interview.

Kuhn was awarded the China Reform Friendship Medal in 2018, recognizing his contribution to the understanding of China in all its richness, achievements, complexities and challenges.

Central to China's rise has been the astonishing increase in its standard of living for 1.4 billion people, said Kuhn.

In 1978, China was among the poorest in the world. From that year to 2023, the country's disposable personal income had risen to nearly 40,000 yuan ($5,669), a 228-fold increase in yuan terms.

China's economic growth has been extraordinary, maintaining an average annual growth rate of 8.9 percent between 1979 and 2023. "In the annals of human economics, no country has ever achieved such high-speed economic growth for such a long period," said Kuhn.

Kuhn said this growth, however, faces challenges. China's investment-led economy, particularly in infrastructure and property construction, is now experiencing a slowdown.

To address this, China is pivoting toward "high-quality development," emphasizing innovation and science and technology as the future drivers of growth, Kuhn said.

Rule of law

China's governance has evolved alongside its economic transformation, noted Kuhn, highlighting the country's commitment to the rule of law as a crucial element of its modernization.

The country's judicial reforms have aimed to curb corruption and enhance transparency in the legal system.

One significant reform has been the transfer of the administration of local courts from city and county officials to provincial authorities, which has reduced interference in the legal process.

Today, the country's courts are promoting innovation in their judicial models in handling civil and administrative cases. By the end of 2022, internet courts had accepted 429,000 cases, exploring and piloting "online trial of online cases", a one-stop, multi-dispute resolution and litigation service system.

China's future, according to Kuhn, lies in becoming a global leader in science and technology.

Innovation has been made the cornerstone of China's development strategy. In 2023, China's investment in research and development exceeded 3.3 trillion yuan, the second-largest in the world.

China's focus on "indigenous innovation" has already yielded results. The country now ranks second globally in highly cited scientific papers and has risen to 11th place in the Global Innovation Index, up from 34th in 2012.

Xinhua