“China ranked a global No.1 last year in terms of total volume of commodity imports and exports， a level it has maintained since 2013. The country also led the world in online retailing， and its sales of consumer goods and level of cross-border service trade were second globally. China has moreover maintained pole position among developing countries as regards attracting foreign investment for 24 consecutive years， while its own foreign investment is the worlds third largest. The country has thus achieved gratifying domestic growth and made significant contributions to the world economy.”

Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng made these observations on February 23 at a news conference in Beijing.

“The Chinese economy has become something of a running theme for domestic and foreign observers， and pessimistic predictions and doomsday sayings are not difficult to find. Amidst such foggy weather， dispelling clouds and seeing the real picture couldnt be more important and necessary especially for business people. Here I wish to share with you three basic points： Chinas economic growth is steady. The Chinese economy is moving in the right direction. The Chinese economy remains a strong engine for global growth.”

Ambassador Yang Yanyi， head of the Chinese Mission to the EU， made this statement in her keynote speech at the BUSINESSEUROPE Executive Committee Meeting on February 25. She went on to say that against the backdrop of a sluggish global economy， Chinas medium-high growth rate， solid employment， higher incomes， and savings growth， as well as steady improvements to the environment are no mean feat.