"If we say that economic reform and market openness has helped the private sector, then the 16th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has created further growth for both that sector and the Chinese economy as a whole," Zhang Hongwei said in an exclusive interview with China.org.cn.
Zhang is a member of the 10th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), vice chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce and chairman and president of the Orient Group Inc. He was full of emotion describing the changes to the economy in the last term of the government: "The progress we made is closely related with the encouragement of state policies. Besides, we have transformed from a planned economy. Since the reform began over 20 years ago, private economy has made progress every year. These companies now enter a new period of growth with the conclusion of the 16th CPC National Congress last November."
He said that this congress has cleared all the obstacles for the development of the private sector and a breakthrough has been made, in theory at least, with people confident of the open market. In Jiang Zemin's report to the 16th CPC National Congress, sentences such as, "It is essential for the Party to give top priority to development in governing and rejuvenating the country and its drive for modernization. A Marxist ruling party must attach great importance to the liberation and development of productive forces," have created great enthusiasm and hope. This, Zhang says, harnesses and motivates people to become, "great productive forces; essential to the realization of the goal to build an affluent, balanced society."
In the past, both local government and private enterprise have made great strides to enlarge private companies. However, local government has now made favorable conditions for a private sector economy, Zhang said. This development will help private companies grow and aid the state to develop accordingly.
As a man who "got rich through hard work", Zhang thinks that private entrepreneurs should integrate themselves into the overall development of society and pay great attention to underdevelopment of peoples and areas. Even though donations and grant aid is important, area development is much more important. Zhang maintains that his Orient Group, now preparing to build a chain of supermarkets, will help to promote local economic development.
(China.org.cn by Staff Reporter Zhang Juan, translated by Li Jinhui, March 10, 2003)
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