In the early days of the Industrial Revolution, due to openness, world markets and various factors were connected. Nations and economies were thus no longer fettered by the limits of their resources. The miracle of industrialization was created.

In the second half of the 20th century, the global production chain was reorganized and redistributed. The importance of openness became valued even more. China's great achievements of reform and opening up have also benefited from openness. The country is able to make the most of external dynamics, and together with its own economic endowments such as human resources, wisdom and a huge domestic market, manages to sustain growth that has lasted for four decades. It is because of openness that China has successfully overcome a scarcity of resources and gained confidence in today's industrial and commercial civilization.

Despite some headwinds, the value of openness is still cherished by the majority. As the second largest economy in the world, and one which has long relied on openness, China is embarking on a new phase of reform and opening up. Not only will this enable China to better shoulder its responsibilities as a world power to champion free competition in the global market, but it is also a strategic choice to transform the country's own economic structure and governance.

Openness is not simply a matter of expediency, but a long-term strategy for China's revitalization.

(This is an edited excerpt of an article published in South Reviews on April 25-May 8)