On the afternoon of April 16, the State Information Center (SIC), as the Chinese counterpart, jointly held the 2019 China Economic Survey conference with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Cheng Xiaobo, President of SIC, and Schuknecht, Deputy Secretary-General of OECD, delivered speeches on behalf of both parties.

Mr.Cheng Xiaobo & Mr. Schuknecht

Cheng Xiaobo says that the current Chinese economy is achieving stable operation among various difficulties and challenges, and it is the main stabilizer for world economic growth. The Chinese government is unswervingly promoting the high-quality development of the economy. With the functioning of various policies and the accelerated pace of opening up, it will inject strong confidence and motivation into China and the world economy. The OECD studies China's macroeconomic performance from the perspective of international organizations, which gives a  more objective and prudent view when judging China's economic slowdown, financial risks, and fair opportunities. It gives priority to China's digitalization process and the digital economy as a new growth point, and puts forward operational policy recommendations such as accelerating structural reforms and improving labor productivity. SIC is willing to strengthen in-depth exchanges and cooperation with the OECD in policy research, data analysis and other aspects further.

Schuknecht says that despite the slowdown in growth, China will continue to be the main driver of world economic growth. It is expected that China's economy will continue to maintain a growth rate of more than 6% this and next year, and continue to catch up with developed economies. He believes that China is at a crossroads and faces serious internal and external challenges. He says policy development should focus on long-term strategies, continue to promote economic rebalancing, and ensure that future economic growth is sustainable, greener and more inclusive.

Xiao Xiuli, Director-General of the Comprehensive Management Department of the SIC, Partrick Lenain, Assistant Director of the Economics Department of the OECD, and Margit Morlna, Chief Economist of the OECD China Desk, attended the meeting. Representatives from the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other experts from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Academy of Social Sciences, the Academy of Macroeconomic Research, the Academy of Fiscal Science, and representatives of news media such as Xinhua News Agency and CCTV attended the conference.