China is about to embark on the next phase of a remarkable economic journey, aiming for higher quality and more sustainable growth, the IMF chief said.
Â
"The journey has propelled it to the top tier of the global economy and lifted hundreds of millions of people out of poverty in a remarkably short period of time," Christine Lagarde, managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) told the China Development Forum that kicked off in Beijing on Saturday.
Â
"This new transformation will come with three key dimensions -- a firm destination, a clear roadmap and a deep sense of global responsibility," Lagarde said.
Â
After showing great economic leadership, especially during the recent global financial crisis, China has its eyes fixed firmly on its next destination -- aiming for "higher quality, more inclusive, and more sustainable" growth, said the IMF chief.
Â
Reform plans that came out of the Third Plenum of the Communist Party of China's 18th Central Committee plot a course to this destination. "These reforms are ambitious. They will require hard decisions and tradeoffs, but I am confident that China will rise to the challenge -- as it has always done," Lagarde said.
Â
"As China's share in the global economy continues to rise, so will its responsibility in supporting the global common good -- global financial stability, environmental sustainability, and the global rules of the game. The IMF will be a key forum for this kind of global cooperation, and I welcome a strengthened partnership with China," she added.
Â
Initiated in 2000, the forum is a platform for business and academic leaders to interact with China's top decision makers and economic planners.Â