Vow of support for private firms lays questions to rest

Editor's note: The meeting between some representatives of private business owners and Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, in Beijing on Thursday has reinforced the message that China will unswervingly support its private economy, comments ThePaper.cn in its editorial. Excerpts:

Don't listen to, or believe any words that deny, doubt or try to sway the country's basic economic system and fundamental policies of the State. All private businesses and their owners can absolutely set their minds at ease, and put their whole heart into development, Xi told his listeners, whom he called "our own people".

In saying this, Xi directly responded to a wave of infectious concerns caused by some saying that the private economy has fulfilled its historical role and the State should stop supporting it.