Mapping out road ahead

President Xi Jinping's recent speech at a meeting of provincial and ministerial-level officials has been viewed as setting the tone for the political, ideological and theoretical foundations of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China to be held later this year.

Xi said that experience has proved that socialism with Chinese characteristics is the best way to ensure the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the Chinese people, and there is every reason to be confident as great achievements have been made over the past four decades since reform and opening-up was launched, especially over the past five years in terms of implementing a new concept of development, deepening reform, enhancing the rule of law, improving the environment and building a strong military.

A number of so-called China-watchers have long predicted a "China collapse". But the truth is that China's growth rate still surpasses that of many major economies in the world, the Party is getting stronger and the country's circle of friends in the international community is expanding.