China's new development concepts are essential for the success of its supply-side structural reform, said Li Yong, vice chairman of the China Association of International Trade.
Li made the remark in a recent written interview with Xinhuanet on the analysis of China's supply-side structural reform within the context of the five development concepts of innovation, coordination, green development, opening up and sharing.
The five concepts, highlighted in China's 13th Five-Year Plan, can be regarded as the superstructure of China's future economic endeavors.
Li said. "The purpose is to resolve China's economic vulnerabilities, which are the results of the imbalances between the supply and demand, and reshape the economy as such that it is robust, self-perpetuating, sustaining and competitive."
The success of the supply-side structural reform hinges on the effective implementation of these concepts during the reform process, Li said.
As for innovation, it serves as a propeller for the supply-side transformation, and facilitates the "improvements in quality and efficiency of the supply system," Li said.
"Innovation, in the context of supply side structural reform, is not just about innovating new products and services, science and technology, but also about other things that will have an impact on innovation, such as regulatory regimes and governance," Li explained.
Li also highlighted the importance of an innovation-friendly business environment, noting, "it is more important than innovation itself at present stage, and requires an open and innovative mindset at the government level to create innovative institutions and allow the market and competition to take care of the 'supply of innovations.'"
In terms of the concept of coordinated development, Li said, it "requires a holistic view of balance, rather than independent or fragmented approaches, to solve the supply-side challenges and accomplish the goals of supply-side structural reform."
"The key is coherence of policies and actions throughout the multi-level governance and cross-sector regimes," Li added.
Li defined the third development concept of "green growth" as "the future direction of China's socioeconomic development in terms of environmental dimensions" and "a paradigmatic shift of the development model from quantity to quality."
"This has in effect raised the standards of supply-side reform," Li said, calling for more attention to "green inputs" in the reform planning and implementation, and proposing "green KPIs (Key Performance Indicators)" in the evaluation of the performances of local governments.
Against the backdrop of globalization, carrying out the supply-side reform will have international implications, Li said while examining the concept of open development.
According to Li, to achieve supply-side reform objectives in an open economy, four tasks need to be accomplished: creating a more open and liberalized market environment supported by rule of law and market mechanisms, a win-win model that allow two-way participation by both domestic and international businesses in the formation of new supply structure, a game plan that conforms to international trade and investment rules, and a level playing field for all to be contributors to the upgrading of China's new position in the global supply chain.
Sharing is the cornerstone of the five development concepts, and the underlying conception of human development, Li said.
And China's economic development will produce benefits that are shared and available to all without any sort of discrimination, Li said.
"Shared development benefits should be seen beyond the borders of the country, and approached from the perspectives of improving global well-being," Li explained. "It is the ultimate measure of the reform results, and all the reform efforts should be built around this concept, together with the realization of the other four concepts."
