Leaders mark the nation's progress

Top officials affirm government's commitment to openness and engagement with the world

Top leaders signaled China's growing openness to the outside world and reaffirmed the nation's commitment to maintaining peace, on the eve of the Oct 1 National Day holiday.

Leaders including President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang embarked on a series of events and meetings in Beijing, including a ceremony honoring martyrs, a grand reception and meetings with foreign guests.

As he met with leading foreign experts working in China who received this year's Friendship Award, Li said China is ready to welcome more talent from abroad as the country becomes more open and inclusive.

On Sept 29, Vice-Premier Ma Kai conferred medals on the 50 foreign experts and praised their contribution to the country's development at an awards ceremony in Beijing.

Li observed that the foreign experts in China include both young and old, and the combination of their brainpower and experience could "help yield a greater boost to China's modernization process and world peace and development".

He said China is offering greater openness, inclusiveness and convenience for outstanding foreign talent, and the country will speed up the processing of applications for permanent residence permits.

Li also greeted foreign ambassadors and envoys assuming their new roles in China. He said China is committed to peace and development, and will join hands with countries to "achieve robust, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth".

As the leaders attended a reception on Sept 30 evening, Li reiterated China's concept of "building the community of shared destiny".

Su Ge, president of the China Institute of International Studies, notes that China's diplomacy this year has demonstrated greater readiness to contribute to global governance, including hosting the G20 Leaders Summit in early September.

"China's tangible actions are showing to the world that it is a contributor and a mover for world peace, common development and international cooperation," Su said.

On Sept 30 morning, leaders joined veterans, family members of martyrs and representatives from all walks of life gathered at the Monument to the People's Heroes at Tian'anmen Square.

They attended a ceremony to honor deceased national heroes on the annual Martyrs' Day.

Sept 30 marked the third Martyrs' Day on the eve of the National Day.

A red carpet covered paths surrounding the monument, and attendees presented flowers in memory of the people's heroes.

This year is also the 80th anniversary of the Long March, a famous military maneuver carried out by the Red Army in the mid-1930s.

Xinhua contributed to this story.

Contact the writers at zhangyunbi@chinadaily.com.cn