Climb over the hurdle to achieve medium and high-speed growth

"In 2021, my country will scientifically coordinate the prevention and control of the new crown pneumonia epidemic and economic and social development, achieve the first centenary goal, build a moderately prosperous society in an all-round way, and achieve a positive economic growth of 8.1%, which is really commendable!" Member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Zhong Ying, a researcher at the Institute of Contemporary China of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, believes that the government work report sets the GDP growth target at about 5.5% this year, which is in line with objective reality and is feasible.

She believes that, first, China will still face a relatively weak global environment in 2022. The World Bank forecasts that global economic growth will slow to 4.1% in 2022 from 5.5% in 2021. Second, in 2022, the driving effect of external demand on China's economy will weaken, and the growth rate of global trade is expected to slow down to 6.3%. The World Bank predicts that energy prices will remain high in 2022; prices of non-energy commodities such as agricultural products and metals have already risen strongly in 2021. The third is that after China's fiscal policy has been significantly tightened in 2021, it will be moderately relaxed in 2022, driving the expansion of effective investment; monetary policy will continue to focus on maintaining financial market stability and providing liquidity support when necessary. Although measures to prevent and defuse risks may put some pressure on short-term economic growth, they can enhance economic resilience and stamina, and promote long-term healthy economic development.

On the whole, although my country has achieved a strong economic recovery in the normalized epidemic prevention and control, the economic structure is not balanced, and attention must be paid to preventing economic growth from returning to the track of structural slowdown. In order to achieve high-quality growth, China's economy needs to be rebalanced, including strengthening the role of domestic demand in driving, strengthening the leading role of consumption and service industry, strengthening the market-oriented role and driving force of social innovation, and realizing the transition from a high-carbon economy to a low-carbon economy.

Member Zhong Ying pointed out that this is a medium-to-high-speed growth on a high base, which reflects the initiative. Last year, my country's GDP reached 114 trillion yuan. On this basis, an increase of 5.5% is equivalent to an increase of 7.4% five years ago and an increase of 10.5% 10 years ago. The corresponding economic aggregate exceeds 9 trillion yuan, and the wealth created is incomparable. At present, my country is facing multiple challenges, and this goal requires hard work to achieve. (Economic Daily-China Economic Net reporter Wang Jin)