Cooperation necessary for global prosperity

China sees sustained, high-quality development as something that will benefit people nationwide and globally, and the country is calling for more solidarity and cooperation against the backdrop of the global COVID-19 pandemic and a declining world economy, Zhou Shuchun, publisher and editor-in-chief of China Daily, said on Thursday.

The nation will boost the coordinated development of urban and rural areas and realize a smooth transition from poverty alleviation to rural vitalization during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), he said.

Additionally, China has pledged to work hard with other countries to build a more resilient, open and inclusive global economy in an effort to create a clean, beautiful world with lasting peace, universal security and common prosperity, he added. Zhou made the remarks while addressing the Vision China event themed "Way Forward after Beating Poverty", which was hosted by China Daily.

What lies ahead in a "post-poverty era" as China embarks on a new journey to build a modern, socialist nation? And what can the world do to reduce poverty most effectively when COVID-19 has made it even more challenging?

Zhou said these are the questions that people at China Daily had in mind when launching the event."Poverty is a worldwide, centuries-old problem that has plagued mankind since the beginning of history," he noted.

Less than a month ago, President Xi Jinping declared complete success in China's protracted, arduous battle to eliminate extreme poverty, which had troubled the nation for thousands of years. Over the past 40 years, the number of people China has lifted out of poverty accounts for 70 percent of the world's total, he said.

In a congratulatory message, Antonio Guterres, the UN secretary-general, said the nation's extraordinary achievement is a reason for hope and inspiration to the global community.

Citing Guterres, Zhou said the Chinese experience contributes to the world's wisdom, knowledge and solutions for establishing a new paradigm for poverty reduction. Zhou also said considering the current state of the world, which is battling a raging pandemic and a declining global economy, it's necessary for all countries to build consensus and work together.

"Despite diverse interests and beliefs, countries have more in common than that which divides us," he said. "That is why China will, as always, persevere to seek a win-win scenario for the handling of international relations and push for the building of a community with a shared future for mankind."