Members of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) took part in a group interview with the press in Beijing on March 4 ahead of the opening of its third session, sharing insights on China's new milestones and prospects.

Members of the 14th National Committee of the CPPCC take part in a group interview at the Great Hall of the People, Beijing, March 4, 2025. [Photo by Zheng Liang/China.org.cn]

Lin Songtian, deputy director of the CPPCC National Committee's Foreign Affairs Committee, called the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) a landmark project linking five continents, promoting global prosperity and benefiting current and future generations.

"The initiative has benefited people in over 150 countries, paving a new path for cooperation, mutual benefit and shared development worldwide," Lin told reporters at the Great Hall of the People. He noted that the BRI has driven development in partner countries, improved investment environments and established numerous economic zones and industrial parks, creating vast employment opportunities, enhancing livelihoods and enabling Chinese enterprises to expand globally with robust infrastructure, legal and policy support.

Since 2013, the BRI has delivered global benefits through key projects: the China-Laos Railway boosted Asia's regional connectivity, the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway provided Ethiopia sea port access, Peru's Chancay Port became a green, smart logistics hub, and the China-Europe Railway Express strengthened Asia-Europe ties, connecting 25 countries and over 220 cities with more than 100,000 freight trains.

"With joint efforts from all parties, high-quality BRI cooperation will allow Chinese people to pursue their dreams worldwide with greater accessibility, while enabling more people around the globe to share in development opportunities and prosperity," he said.

Qiao Hong, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and CPPCC member, highlighted China's remarkable progress in humanoid robotics in recent years, noting that the country now accounts for more than half of global robot deployment and leads the world in related technologies.

Qiao emphasized that humanoid robots, a key manifestation of artificial intelligence (AI) and a vital platform for general-purpose physical AI systems, represent the cutting edge of technological evolution. She added that the "Q-series" humanoid robots, independently developed by the CAS' Institute of Automation, have successfully established the core technological foundation for the humanoid robot mega-factory.

"As part of China's national strategic technological force, we will continue to harness our technological advancements and talent resources to solidify the nation's core technological foundation and advance China's goal of becoming a global technological powerhouse," Qiao said.

Members of the 14th National Committee of the CPPCC take part in a group interview at the Great Hall of the People, Beijing, March 4, 2025. [Photo by Zheng Liang/China.org.cn]

Jin Li, vice-president of the Southern University of Science and Technology and CPPCC member, addressed challenges posed by China's aging population, highlighting efforts to develop the silver economy and improve the well-being of elderly people.

China's silver economy, driven by its aging population, is set for significant growth, potentially creating 100 million jobs by 2050 and tapping into a market worth $4 trillion by 2035, boosting economic vitality. Currently, there are more than 300 million people aged 60 and above in China, with this figure expected to exceed 400 million by 2035.

"The growing population aged 60 to 70 brings a wealth of energy and experience. A silver think tank can unlock opportunities in this demographic," Jin said, noting that improving education and health care enables older individuals to continue making significant contributions to the workforce and society.

Jin highlighted that the needs of China's aging population are shifting from basic necessities like clothing, food, shelter and transportation to personal growth, including health care, elderly care, leisure and exploration, as the silver economy offers vast opportunities in terms of both supply and demand.

Yan Jianbing, president of Huazhong Agricultural University and CPPCC member, emphasized that China's innovation in agricultural science and technology ranks among the world's highest, making significant contributions to agricultural progress.

Yan expressed optimism in maintaining food security, praising the efforts of agricultural science and technology workers. In 2024, China's grain output exceeded 700 million metric tons for the first time, with per capita availability surpassing 500 kilograms — well above the international food security threshold.

Members of the 14th National Committee of the CPPCC take part in a group interview at the Great Hall of the People, Beijing, March 4, 2025. [Photo by Zheng Liang/China.org.cn]

Zhao Hong, chief physician at the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences' Cancer Hospital and CPPCC member, highlighted China's remarkable progress in biopharmaceutical innovation in recent years, aimed at better safeguarding public health. Last year, the nation approved 48 novel drugs and 65 innovative medical devices, with the number of novel medicines in the pipeline ranking second globally.

"China has shifted from imitation to innovation in the biopharmaceutical field, significantly enhancing its capabilities and demonstrating a promising future," Zhao said.

CPPCC member Zhou Lan also noted China's increased efforts to renovate old residential areas, creating modern and convenient living environments. Over 66,000 urban renewal projects have been carried out, updating and renovating 250,000 old neighborhoods, benefiting more than 100 million residents.

"These urban renewal projects have not only optimized residents' living conditions but also attracted new, efficient investment to these cities while preserving their cultural and historical heritage," she said.

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