China US Photo:VCG

In 2025, the world is accelerating its evolution amid intertwined changes and turbulences. The interconnectedness of China's development and the global landscape is continually strengthening, and China's influence on global growth, technological transformation, and global governance is becoming increasingly profound and positive. The latest 2025 Global Survey on Impression and Understanding of China reveals that nearly 90 percent of respondents have expressed confidence in China's continued economic growth over the next 10 years. Global public opinion shows strong interest in Chinese culture and tech, with expectations for China to participate more in international affairs and to reform and improve global governance.

"Confidence," "patience," and "resilience" - these have become frequent terms in international commentary observing China's response to complex external environments. This year, facing severe shocks to the international economic and trade order, China has coordinated domestic economic development with international economic cooperation, steadfastly focused on managing its own affairs, and is on track to achieve its primary economic and social development goals. Amid turbulent clouds, China remains composed in the face of various risks and challenges on its path forward. It has consistently maintained sobriety and resolve, concentrating its efforts on managing its own affairs to gain the initiative, secure advantages and shape the future. It continues to advance Chinese modernization, developing itself while benefiting the world.

The development of a nation or a people hinges on charting its own path and managing its own affairs well. This is a fundamental truth revealed by dialectical materialism and a profound lesson from China's development journey. As a major developing country, China's development cannot depend on others. Over the past seven decades and more, China has been working from generation to generation on the same blueprint to make it a reality. From the First Five-Year Plan to the 14th Five-Year Plan, and from an impoverished country to an estimated economic output of around 140 trillion yuan this year, China has maintained its position as the world's second-largest economy and the largest manufacturing nation. The Chinese economic vessel has navigated turbulent waters and overcome formidable challenges precisely because of its unwavering focus on managing its own affairs.

This year, a tariff tsunami struck unexpectedly, casting a shadow over the global economy. Amid these challenges, China has demonstrated composure and confidence to the world: We have shown the spirit, backbone and confidence of the Chinese people, demonstrated our core strength, and earned the respect of the international community. Where does this composure and confidence come from? It stems from China's proactive efforts over the years to proactively identify, respond to and steer changes, steadfastly countering the uncertainty of the external environment with the certainty of its own high-quality development. Accelerating the formation of a new development paradigm, balancing development and security, and achieving greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology, these strategic moves have seized the initiative amid major shifts, providing solid support for China's economy to push forward against pressure. 

China's GDP grew 5.2 percent year-on-year in the first three quarters of 2025, with total goods imports and exports growing by 4 percent year-on-year globally. For the first time, China has become one of the world's top 10 most innovative economies, with its artificial intelligence patent holdings accounting for 60 percent of the world total. Despite difficulties and pressures, China's economy remains resilient, backed by robust macroeconomic policies and steadily growing new drivers of growth, creating favorable conditions for achieving its annual targets.

To manage global affairs well, we must first manage our own affairs well. China and the US are the world's largest developing and developed countries respectively. Focusing on their own development and managing their domestic affairs well not only concerns the well-being of their respective peoples, but also serves as a vital driving force for global peace and development. Currently, both China and the US are pursuing their respective dreams and are committed to enabling their people to live better lives. To achieve this goal, properly handling bilateral relations is crucial. Only by achieving greater development themselves can both countries offer more opportunities to each other and better address the challenges they face.

China remains unwavering in managing its own affairs well. China has no intention to challenge or supplant anyone. Its focus has always been on managing China's own affairs well, improving itself, and sharing development opportunities with all countries across the world. China continues to expand high-level opening-up, constantly improving its market-oriented, law-based and internationalized business environment to provide broader market space and investment opportunities for enterprises from all countries. Over the next decade or so, China's middle-income population will exceed 800 million, accelerating the formation of the world's largest and most dynamic consumer market. More remarkable stories of "sharing prosperity with the world" will unfold in China, and the US can be both a participant and a beneficiary. The US should also demonstrate the wisdom and vision as a major power, view China's development objectively and rationally, and work with China toward mutual success and shared prosperity.

Regardless of external changes, China will remain resolute and steadfast, focusing its efforts with historical initiative to manage its own affairs well. We will propel our economic vessel forward through waves, continuously injecting new momentum and opening new horizons for global development through fresh achievements in Chinese modernization.

Zhong Sheng is the People's Daily international news commentary column. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn