China fundamentally important for world: Tony Blair

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair said in Beijing on Friday that he expects China to carry on opening up and grow into the world's leading economy because how the country has developed is of fundamental importance for the world.

Speaking during an interview on the sidelines of the China Philanthropy Forum in Beijing on Friday, Blair said China has made "the most remarkable economic progress in human history" in the last 30 years, lifting more people out of poverty than any other nation in the world since it made the decision to open up.

He predicted China would further open up to promote development of both the state-owned and private sectors, offer better education and health services, build a more competitive financial sector and improve law making.

There are many lessons states could learn by analyzing China and other emerging economies, he said while addressing the Caijing Annual Conference that closed on Thursday in Beijing.

As for the Eurozone crisis, which he described as one of the biggest challenges the world economy faces, Blair said that correct decisions have been taken and in the long term the Eurozone will come through its current difficulties and remain strong and integrating.

"The absolute key is to keep the world markets opening up and to resist protectionism and economic nationalism, and to make sure that we realize we are in this together," he said.