Singapore scholars Zheng Yongnian and Gu Qingyang: China does not set GDP indicators to reflect the truth-seeking and pragmatic spirit
Recently, Professor Zheng Yongnian and Associate Professor Gu Qingyang from the East Asia Institute of the National University of Singapore’s Li Guangyao School of Public Policy said in an exclusive interview with the Economic Daily-China Economic Network reporter that the “Government Work Report” does not set a GDP growth target, reflecting the Chinese government’s policy-seeking and seeking truth from facts. scientific.
This year’s “Government Work Report” for the first time did not set a specific GDP growth target for 2020. Professor Zheng Yongnian and Associate Professor Gu Qingyang of the East Asia Institute of the National University of Singapore’s Li Guangyao School of Public Policy said in an exclusive interview with the Economic Daily that this highlights the Chinese government’s decision Scientific.
Zheng Yongnian said that the "Government Work Report" does not set a GDP growth target, reflecting the fact-seeking and scientific nature of the Chinese government's decision-making. Although China has won the first stage of the fight against the New Coronary Pneumonia Epidemic, as a whole, the New Coronary Pneumonia Epidemic has not yet been effectively controlled and there is a possibility of recurrence. Since there is still uncertainty about the new coronary pneumonia epidemic in China and the world, or that there is uncertainty in both China's internal and external environments, it is natural to be realistic and pragmatic and reasonable without setting economic growth indicators.
Zheng Yongnian pointed out that although China has controlled the epidemic and started to resume production, the psychological impact of the new coronary pneumonia epidemic on people needs time to recover. It is not so easy for consumption to return to normal and complete resumption of production. The epidemic situation in many countries in the world has not been effectively controlled, and external demand has been suppressed and reduced, which has also largely affected China's resumption of production and production. At present, there are many unfavorable factors such as the impact of the new coronary pneumonia epidemic in the economies of various countries, and the global economic growth is sluggish or even down. Therefore, China cannot determine economic growth indicators. .
Zheng Yongnian said that the Chinese government's focus on this year's work is to help vulnerable groups such as small, medium and micro enterprises, which is commendable. As the saying goes, "You can stay in the mountains without fear of burning wood." China's employment has stabilized, the society has improved, and the economy will naturally be better.
Gu Qingyang said that the absence of GDP growth indicators in 2020 highlights the rationality of China’s high-level decision-making and pays more attention to the quality of development. This year's "Government Work Report" focuses on promoting economic growth on the basis of protecting people's livelihood and stability. This logical sequence is very correct. The new coronary pneumonia epidemic is currently the most important challenge, and it has brought a huge impact on the economy and people's livelihood. Only by stabilizing the huge impact of the new coronary pneumonia epidemic will large-scale economic recovery and construction be possible. The high-level decision-making of the Chinese government is very wise and rational, and the economic recovery and development arrangements are very reasonable, that is, the economy is developed under the premise of focusing on people's livelihood and stability, rather than excessive pursuit of economic stimulus.
Gu Qingyang pointed out that although economic growth is the foundation for solving people's livelihood and stability, the two interact and have the same goal, but the premise and focus of economic growth are still to protect people's livelihood and stability. The Chinese government's consideration is to maximize economic growth on the basis of ensuring people's livelihood and stability. The "Government Work Report" does not clearly state the quantitative goals of economic growth, and there are two main considerations. On the one hand, there are many domestic and international factors that are difficult to determine. In the case where many factors are uncertain and difficult to control, reluctantly setting a quantitative goal is not conducive to making flexible adjustments when dealing with uncertainties in the future. On the other hand, I also want to focus on protecting people's livelihood and stability. Don't overemphasize the rate of economic growth and dilute the focus of this year's work.
Gu Qingyang pointed out that especially this year is the year of decisive battles and the decisive battle to achieve a well-off society. This is the core issue. The “Government Work Report” does not set specific indicators of GDP, reflecting the change in the development thinking of the Chinese leadership, that is, from quantitative economic development to qualitative development, focusing on improving people's livelihood security and focusing on people's welfare. Not setting economic growth targets does not mean that growth is unimportant, because economic growth is the basis for protecting people's livelihood, stability, and employment. Therefore, "six stability" and "six guarantees" need to be placed at the core.
Gu Qingyang said that the "Government Work Report" particularly emphasized the importance of opening up to the outside world, which is crucial. Responding to some international anti-globalization and economic "decoupling" arguments by opening up more. Show the international community China's determination to maintain global multilateral cooperation. This is also a key measure to enhance China's attractiveness to multinational companies and enhance its own competitiveness. Relevant policy arrangements have once again shown to the international community that China will continue to promote its own growth through international cooperation and make its due contribution to the global economic recovery.
Gu Qingyang believes that the "Government Work Report" emphasizes the continued deepening of various domestic reforms, including deepening market-oriented reforms and national governance systems and capacity modernization, which are of great significance for China to achieve high-quality development.
In addition, Gu Qingyang believes that China is currently in an important position in the global supply chain, the prices of production factors are relatively low, and it has the most complete industrial supporting system and enterprise ecosystem in the world and sufficient financing capabilities. At the same time, China also has a large number of high-quality labor, increasing technological innovation capabilities, the world's largest consumer market, high-level government services, and the constant release of reform dividends. In addition, in Gu Qingyang's view, the global anti-epidemic measures are spawning some new formats, which will stimulate the connotative innovation of the global industrial chain and supply chain. For example, people can strengthen the coordination of the global supply chain through remote communication and promote the development of cross-border electronic trade and cloud services. In these respects, China has obvious advantages. (Economic Daily News-China Economic Net correspondent Cai Honda in Singapore)