On 27 November 27, Dublin Gazette, Cork Independent and Limerick Post published Ambassador Zhao Xiyuan’s signed Article titled “Beyond the Truce: An Outlook on China's Road Ahead”. The full text is as follows:
Many people felt relieved when the positive results from recent engagements between Beijing and Washington were announced. Given the extreme instability of the current international economic and trade environment, global partners welcome some degree of certainty.
Media outlets have largely used the term “truce” to describe the agreement, a word that seems to imply war could break out again at any time. Yet this label tells only part of the story. The more meaningful question is: what comes next? After one year, and beyond?
Whether or not one calls it a “truce”, China’s commitment to opening-up has been and will remain a fundamental national policy. Last week the 8th China International Import Expo kicked off in Shanghai, featuring participation from 155 countries and regions. A total of 4,108 overseas companies showcased more than 460 cutting-edge products, technologies, and services. Notably, U.S. companies have taken up the largest exhibition area at the expo in each of the past seven editions.
Business leaders often have keen insight into market potential. As China continues to pursue a high standard of opening up, it offers enterprises and talent worldwide accessible opportunities for mutual benefit through the world’s most complete industrial system, a thriving innovation ecosystem and growing demand for services driven by urbanization, industrial upgrading and green transition.
At the same time, China’s principal focus remains on doing it own work well. The government prepares a national plan for economic and social development every five years. Last month, the 20th Central Committee of the CPC concluded its fourth plenary session and adopted the recommendations for formulating the 15th Five Year Plan (2026-2030).
The Plan addresses both ambitions and problems and is guided by principles such as putting people first, pursuing high quality development, comprehensively deepening reform, promoting an efficient market alongside a well functioning government, and ensuring development together with security.
It sets the goal that by 2035 China’s per capita GDP should rise from about $13,000 today to the level of a mid-level developed country, typically more than $20,000.
These goals are significant. Looking back, China’s rise from a few thousand dollars per capita to over $13,000 has created tangible opportunities and benefits for global partners, contributing about 30% of global economic growth in recent decades. Looking ahead, the “cake” will only grow larger, China’s massive economic scale and a strong domestic market will continue to provide reliable support for global growth.
By comparison, Ireland achieved a similar rise in just six years, from 1990 to 1996, a remarkable achievements on the global stage. For China, however, with a population of 1.4 billion, achieving the same won’t be an easy task.
The Plan acknowledges that China’s reform has entered a critical, deep-water stage. The low-hanging fruit has been picked, and further gains will require greater effort. Challenges such as an ageing population, slowing growth drivers and insufficient domestic demand must be addressed promptly.
Nevertheless, the fundamental factors that underpin China’s long-term economic growth remain intact. By implementing practical measures such as strengthening childcare and eldercare, boosting research and innovation, supporting household incomes and simplifying regulations, China has the capacity to manage domestic and external risks and to continue serving as a stabilizing anchor for the global economy.
As an ancient agricultural civilization that honours the land and nature, China has long embraced the ideal of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature, and among people themselves. For farmers, maintaining and improving the soil that yields bumper harvests has always been more important than quarrelling with a neighbour over market share, unless that neighbour deliberately damages the water source essential for crop growth.
That is why China will remain focused on its own work, regardless of which U.S. administration is in office. That is the sober attitude after the “truce”. Just as brothers can disagree, it is normal for countries to have disputes. What matters is mutual respect for core interests and major concerns. Whether a tariff war, a trade war or an industrial and tech war, all will lead only to dead ends and to losses on both sides. Dialogue is preferable to confrontation, cooperation beats zero sum thinking, and stability is far better than volatility.