The Chinese government reiterated its policy of "sticking to reform and opening-up and grasping developing opportunities" in its just-released government work report.

The reiteration showcases China's opening strategy of mutual benefits and its determination for growth.

The statement sent a positive signal to the world as the global financial crisis is biting hard and the economic downturn is sweeping from country to country.

Since adoption of the reform and opening-up policy some three decades ago, China has been playing an active role in world trade and enjoying the fruit of globalization.

At the same time, China has been making increasingly important contributions to the world's economic growth.

The past 30 years of reform has brought China from the world's periphery to center stage, said the US magazine "Businessweek."

Especially during the past two years, China has contributed more in absolute value to world economic growth than any other country. Even amid the current tough economic situation, China remains one of the few major economies that is still maintaining relatively rapid growth, Businessweek said.

Sharing achievements and jointly bearing responsibilities has long been one of China's basic principles in international economic activities. While the financial crisis fueled protectionism and hurt the Chinese economy as well, China unswervingly adhered to the principle of free trade and open markets.

The promise of opening-up was mentioned many times at the "two sessions," the Second Session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) and the Second Session of the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

China did not stop at words. Shortly after Premier Wen Jiabao's "trip of confidence" to Europe earlier this year, a Chinese trade delegation was dispatched to carry out large-scale government procurement with Europe.

The moves highlighted China's stance of being united with other countries for opportunities and challenges, and demonstrated its strong sense of responsibility as an important participant in international trade.

The sense of responsibility is also carried out by the Chinese government's resolution of expanding domestic demands and spurring growth. Its 4-trillion-yuan ($585 billion) stimulus package and the timely 8-percent-growth target inspired the world and caught the attention of international media.

Whether China, the world's third largest economy, could introduce effective policy to forge ahead against the global downturn, not only matters to its own development, but will also affect the world's confidence in economic recovery, the Singaporean newspaper Lianhe Zaobao said in a commentary.

World Bank President Robert Zoellick has expressed his trust in China, saying that China would continue to play a key role in stabilizing the world economy.

It should be noted that economic growth is not China's only and ultimate goal. Instead, it is working to transform the mode of economic growth and readjust its economic structure in the long run.

The goal is within reach provided that China's financial system remains sound and stable, and that Chinese economy stays in good shape. More importantly, the efforts are further strengthened by the Chinese people's trust in the government and the leadership's proper policy measures.

Recent positive signs in the Chinese economy have helped rebuild confidence worldwide. Urban fixed-asset investment in China climbed 26.5 percent for the first two months of this year.

In a report on the recovery of the Asian economy, "Businessweek" said the top optimistic signal was that China's purchasing managers index had been rising for three months in a row.

Asian Development Bank President Haruhiko Kuroda believes that ensuring continued growth is the most important thing China can do to help Asia and even the whole world struggle out of the financial crisis.

China depends on the world for development, and its opening-up also contributes to the world's prosperity and stability.

Common challenges have encouraged solidarity and coordinated efforts, which are to bring the world economy back to normal, as well as bring China into a new era of opening-up and development.

(Xinhua News Agency March 14, 2009)