FROM EIR DAILY ALERT

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Media Preview Xi Speech: Stay with ‘Reform and Opening Up,’ Ignore Calls To ‘Rashly Confront Washington’

Dec. 18, 2018 (EIRNS)—In the 48 hours prior to Xi Jinping’s major address on the 40th anniversary of China’s Reform and Opening Up policy, Chinese media such as Global Times indicated that Xi Jinping had overcome opposition to continuing with the highly successful ROU approach. For example, a Dec. 17 Global Times editorial wrote:

“China’s reform and opening-up experienced one of its most complicated times in years in terms of the external environment. If Beijing were not categorically resolute in opening-up, it might rashly mobilize the country to confront Washington. Instead, China remains principled, patient and resilient, choosing to stand up to unfavorable forces.”

Another Global Times article indicated that

“doubts have arisen about how far down the same path the nation is willing to go in the future.... The reform and opening-up policy is the root of all of China’s economic achievements over the past four decades.”

An article yesterday for Russia’s RT also reflected this policy discussion:

“China’s record in poverty reduction since reform and opening up is without parallel in human history, according to Wang Yiwei, professor of the School of International Studies at Renmin University... Experts, including those from the Chinese Commerce Ministry, say Beijing should stick to the reform and opening up policy if it wants to resolve trade tensions with the United States.”