Reform can quell economic headwinds

The 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in October 2017 advocated that China would be developed into a modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, culturally advanced, harmonious and beautiful by the middle of this century. But some in the United States consider China's resolve to develop itself into a prosperous and strong country as a matter of concern.

Perhaps this concern has prompted the US to scuttle the 11 rounds of Sino-US trade talks, promote legislation on the protection of Taiwan, increase its military presence in the South China Sea, and hype up the "clash of civilizations" narrative.

The US' moves, combined with the global economic slowdown and China's economic transformation, should impel China to expedite its supply-side structural reform, in order to achieve high-quality development as well as promote economic globalization by further opening up its economy using the Belt and Road Initiative as a channel.