Experts contribute to China's growth

Alistair Michie, a 62-year-old British man who has been a keen observer of China's development for 20 years, is happy to see his seven suggestions about China's public diplomacy and ways of communication with the outside world get heard by China's top decision-makers.

And on Wednesday afternoon, Michie got his latest opportunity to attend a face-to-face discussion with a Chinese leader, this time with newly elected Party leader Xi Jinping.

Being among the 20 experts invited by Xi in the first batch of foreign guests since Xi became Party leader, Michie said he is greatly encouraged by the importance Chinese leaders pay to foreign experts' advice.