Rise in per capita GDP creates strong platform for more reform

CHINA'S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT exceeded 90 trillion yuan ($13.26 trillion) last year, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. It means its per capita GDP was about $9,700. If China maintains growth of at least 6 percent this year, which is highly possible given the current momentum, its per capita GDP this year will surpass $10,000. Beijing News comments:

According to the World Bank standard of 2015, countries with a per capita GDP above $12,736 are high-income countries, and between $4,126 and $12,735 are middle-income countries.

So China will take a solid step toward becoming a high-income country this year, which will create more space for it to deepen reform and expand opening-up.