Annual Session of the China Development Forum 2018 Introduction

Approved by the State Council, the annual session of China Development Forum (CDF) 2018 will be hosted by the Development Research Center of the State Council of China on March 24-26, 2018 at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing. With “China in the New Era” as its theme, this year’s CDF will address key topical issues, including high-quality development, fiscal and tax systems reform, supply-side structural reform and financial policies, opening-up on all fronts, China’s manufacturing in high-quality development stage, innovation and future development.

2018 marks the first year of implementing the guiding principles of the 19th CPC National Congress and the 40th anniversary of China’s Reform and Opening-up policy. The 19th CPC National Congress announced socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era and designed a blueprint for China’s development for the next three decades. To make the blueprint into reality, China will remain committed to deepening reform and expanding opening up and make all-round efforts for economic, political, cultural, social, and ecological advancement. In the run-up to a new era for China, what key reforms will be introduced in 2018 has drawn global attention.

As the second largest economy, China has seen its development interconnected with that of the world. Today, the global economy has begun to gradually recover, but uncertainties from geopolitics and economic sectors still loom all over the world. Against this backdrop, it is of wide concern that how China will communicate, coordinate and cooperate with other countries, promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind and contribute Chinese wisdom and plans in reshaping global economic driving force, responding to climate change and meeting sustainable development goals.

The CDF is the first major state-level international conference held after the conclusion of the “Two Sessions”, namely the annual sessions of the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). With the objective of “Engaging with the World for Common Prosperity”, the Forum is China’s most preeminent platform for dialogue between China’s senior leadership and representatives from global leading businesses, international organisations, and scholars from home and abroad. This year marks the 19th annual session of the Forum. Since its inauguration in 2000, it has promoted international exchanges on development policies and international cooperation.