Gu Yang

  At present, although some economic indicators in my country are close to the threshold of high-income countries, my country's per capita GDP has not yet reached the lower limit of high-income countries, and there is a big gap between the average level of developed countries.

We have to be conscious of this.

As long as we give full play to the strengths of our country's strong economic resilience and great potential, maintain our strategic focus, and through the joint efforts of the people of the whole country, we will be able to truly reach a higher level in the near future.

  According to the National Economic and Social Development Statistical Bulletin released recently, my country's per capita gross domestic product (GDP) in 2021 will be 80,976 yuan, an increase of 8.0% over the previous year.

Converted at an average annual exchange rate of 12,500 US dollars, more than the world's per capita GDP level.

  According to the World Bank's 2020 standards, when the per capita gross national income (GNI) reaches US$12,696, it will enter the ranks of high-income countries.

In 2021, my country's per capita GNI will be about US$12,400, which is close to the threshold of high-income countries.

  The level of per capita GDP/GNI is usually used to reflect the level of economic development of a country.

Whether the per capita GDP exceeds the world average or the per capita GNI is close to the threshold of high-income countries, it fully reflects the high-quality development of my country's economy under the guidance of the new development concept, and demonstrates the confidence and strength of my country's steady economic growth.

  However, per capita GDP/GNI and per capita income of residents are different concepts, and are often confused in real life.

As the total economic volume increases, per capita GDP will increase accordingly. However, due to the multiple and multi-channel distribution of social wealth, the growth of per capita income of residents may not be so obvious. This is precisely the relationship between economic growth and personal actual feelings. An important reason for "temperature difference".

  To make an objective evaluation of a country's development level, it depends not only on its per capita GDP/GNI, but also on its national living standards and whether the income distribution mechanism is fair and reasonable.

At present, although some economic indicators in my country are close to the threshold of high-income countries, my country's per capita GDP has not yet reached the lower limit of high-income countries, and there is a big gap between the average level of developed countries.

This means that my country is still in the ranks of upper-middle-income countries. We must have a clear understanding of this, and we must not have the wrong idea that economic development can be relieved and take a break.

  In fact, the characteristics of my country's large population base and vast territory have determined that the characteristics of unbalanced and uncoordinated between regions and between urban and rural areas are still very prominent.

Statistics show that at present, only 11 provinces including Beijing, Shanghai, and Jiangsu have a per capita GDP that exceeds the national average, while most of the remaining provinces are still hovering below the average.

Looking further, even within these 11 provinces, there are many cities whose per capita GDP is lower than the national average.

For example, in 2020, only 5 of the 21 prefectures and cities in Guangdong Province will have a per capita GDP that exceeds the national average, and only 6 of the 16 prefectures and cities in Shandong Province will have a per capita GDP that exceeds the national average.

  Obviously, the current "cake" of the country's per capita GDP of US$12,500, no matter how finely divided it is, cannot meet people's expectations for "high income".

In this regard, on the one hand, it is necessary to continue to make the "cake" bigger, through deepening the supply-side structural reform, smooth the economic cycle, tap and activate the potential economic growth capacity through scientific and technological innovation, promote the advanced industrial foundation and the modernization of the industrial chain, and then realize the structural Optimization, quality improvement and efficiency improvement; on the other hand, it is necessary to scientifically divide the "cake", and continue to narrow the income gap by improving the income distribution system, so as to achieve a more balanced, more inclusive, and more quality development, and help common prosperity achieve more. Great progress.

  At present, my country is at an important stage of transforming its development mode, optimizing its economic structure, and transforming its growth momentum. It is also a critical period for my country to overcome the so-called "middle-income trap".

The century-old changes are superimposed on the epidemic situation of the century, and the problems of insufficient and unbalanced development are intertwined, which have brought great downward pressure on my country's economy.

However, it should also be noted that the fundamentals of my country's long-term economic growth have not changed, and the favorable factors supporting the stable recovery of the economy are still accumulating. With the joint efforts of the people, we will surely reach a higher level in the near future.