Chinese people living overseas have expressed faith in their country's economy as President Xi Jinping stressed China's accomplishments in the past year.
Xi gave his speech on Friday at the Great Hall of the People of Beijing as the country geared up for the highly-anticipated Spring Festival. He greeted overseas Chinese workers and shared the achievements of 2018, Xinhua reported. "In the past year ... we have made efforts and achieved a lot," he said.
Earlier this month, analysts pointed out that the Chinese economy is starting to slow down. A couple of western companies attributed their low sales to China's lack of demand for products and services. However, some financial experts still believe that the country will recover this year.
Among the people who have put faith in the Chinese economy are locals who work overseas. Ren Limin, president of the Association of Chinese Residents in France, said he is "proud" of his country's progress as guided by the Communist Party of China (CPC).
"In France, the overseas Chinese are paying close attention to the development of our motherland. We wish our motherland a better future," Ren said. For Ren and other workers abroad, China has increased its strength in various industries over the past few decades.
Executive Vice President of the Promotion of China Re-Unification Society in Britain, Liu Kai, said the confidence that overseas Chinese workers have is grounded on their faith in the government's pledge to work with the people.
Chairman of Chinese Youth Federation in Europe, Wu Xiaowang, called on his fellow overseas residents to work with the government in a bid to further develop the country's economic resilience.
Chairman of Prime Fresh, Li Wei, expressed his gratitude for the opportunities that his motherland provided for his Sydney-based beef cut company. Li attributed his company's growth to the Chinese economy's rapid developments. "I am very grateful, from the bottom of my heart to the opportunities that my motherland, as well as President Xi, have brought to us overseas Chinese," Li said.
Meanwhile, China's world-renowned Spring Festival is going global, according to the professor at School of Communication of Chapman University, Jia Wenshan's CGTN News commentary. Jia said some Chinese tourists have opted to visit international locations in celebration of the country's festival.
Jia added that some of the wealthier Chinese tourists who go to Paris, London, Los Angeles, and other western countries provide Spring Festival mementos to shopping malls and hotels. Some of them have even hosted dragon dances that locals enjoy.
