Sustainable Development of Transport in China

Editor's note: China's State Council Information Office on Tuesday released a white paper titled "Sustainable Development of Transport in China". Full text below:

Contents

Preface

I.A New Path for Transport in the New Era

II.China's Growing Strength in Transport

III.A Key to Poverty Alleviation and Moderate Prosperity

IV.Modernization of Transport Governance

V.Building a Global Community of Transport for All

VI.Future Prospects for China's Transport

Conclusion

Preface

Transport is an important service industry－a basic, leading and strategic sector of the economy underpinning sustainable development.

Since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, and particularly since the beginning of reform and opening up in 1978, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), China has followed a strategy of coordinating the development of its transport industry with its economy and society, and ensuring harmony between the transport system and the natural environment. Based on a self-reliant approach, China has made a great effort to create a transport industry that fully responds to public needs. Remarkable results have been achieved, and a once-backward transport industry with a weak base has been hugely improved, providing strong support for economic and social development and creating an outstanding transport system with Chinese characteristics.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress held in November 2012, under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, China has made historic progress in its transport system. The industry has entered a golden period characterized by infrastructure improvements, better services, and high-quality transformation and development. China leads the world in terms of the scale of its transport infrastructure. Its transport service and support capacity has steadily improved, its capacity for technological innovation has markedly strengthened, and the modernization of management has made huge steps forward in this sector. As a result, the public now enjoys higher-quality travel experiences, and China is on the way to becoming a world leader in transport.

The world today is undergoing levels of change unseen in a century, and the future of all countries is linked in ways that are unprecedented. In this context, the role of transport in enhancing connectivity and people-to-people bonds are growing in importance. As a major country that shoulders its responsibilities, China is committed to implementing the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It takes an active part in global transport governance, and looks to strengthen international exchanges and cooperation, so as to contribute Chinese wisdom and strength to sustainable development throughout the world and help to build a global community of shared future.

The Chinese government is publishing this white paper to provide a full picture of China's achievements in the field of transport, and to share with the international community China's strategy and activities in building a sustainable transport system.

I. A New Path for Transport in the New Era

China's transport industry has followed a new path to keep up with the new development dynamic, serving high-quality domestic development and high-standard opening up. China is taking advantage of a period of golden opportunities to improve infrastructure, upgrade services and make transformations in order to build a comprehensive transport system that is intelligent, safe, and green.

1. Building the Transport System That the People Need

China is committed to satisfying public needs and serving the public interest in developing its transport industry. In the new era, China adheres to a people-centered approach to governing and developing the sector based on public collaboration and participation for the benefit of all. It is dedicated to building the transport system that the people need.

? Public participation. China must concentrate its efforts on solving the most pressing, immediate transport issues that concern the people the most, encourage them to become involved in the governance of transport, and boost their initiative and creativity.

? Benefit for all. China should guarantee equitable and efficient access to basic public services in urban and rural areas, and ensure that transport development is sustainable and beneficial to all.

? People-centered development. Public satisfaction is the ultimate criterion for evaluating government work. In light of public expectations in the new era, China focuses on building a high-quality transport industry through supply-side structural reform, meeting the transport needs of diverse groups, and bringing the people a stronger sense of gain, happiness and security.