by Edna Alcantara
MEXICO CITY, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- As China strives to achieve the "Chinese dream," it offers developing nations an alternative path to prosperity and peace, said Mexico's former ambassador to China Sergio Ley Lopez.
Lopez, Mexico's envoy to Beijing from 2001 to 2006, said he believes the measures Chinese President Xi Jinping has put in place to reach sustainable growth can serve as a model for other countries.
"I'm convinced that Xi Jinping's government reforms, with the strength of his people, will follow the path of sustainable development and, just as Xi described in his 'Chinese dream', achieve a moderately prosperous economy in the short term," said Lopez.
As the world's second-largest economy, China has captured the world's attention by launching a series of long-range reforms to renew the economy and establish the foundations for a modern, prosperous and democratic society.
To Luz Maria de la Mora, an expert in international relations, the plan's long-term vision is "very important" for the development of a nation.
"We must understand that they see things in the long term, and we should too, with patience and perseverance," Mora told Xinhua.
In an address to the United Nations General Assembly last month, Xi said the Chinese dream will also entail greater opportunities for other countries, and contribute to global peace and development. In addition, he called on countries to build alliances based on mutual respect and equality.
According to former ambassador Lopez, China's ability to adapt to circumstances makes the goal of the Chinese dream an attainable objective.
"China's success lies in its capacity to change and adapt, to work off of policies with a domestic focus as well as an external focus," he said.
Home to more than 1.3 billion people, China has embarked on a plan to shift its economic growth engine from exports to domestic consumption. At the same time, it is introducing macroeconomic reforms to ensure stable and equitable growth.
While Mexico and other Latin American countries differ from China in many ways, they should take note of the Asian giant's ability to tailor reforms to its own needs and plan with an eye to the future, said Lopez.
"All countries ... should have this same long-term outlook in supporting and listening to their communities and society," he said.
"The 21st century has acknowledged the need for a new economic and political model in each country around the globe." "China will of course continue to develop its (system) and improve socialism with its own characteristics to adjust to global changes," he said.
Since taking office in 2013, Xi has also launched a campaign to fight corruption that has seen several high-ranking officials arrested and jailed.
"I think that's why (Xi) insisted China needs to strengthen the state, because to undertake a campaign of the scale he has undertaken to fight corruption, you need a stable and strong government," said Lopez.
Xi also signalled China's commitment to the greater global community by announcing the creation of a billion-dollar fund to support United Nations peacekeeping and development efforts around the world.
According to Marisela Connelly, a China expert of the Center for Asia and Africa Studies at Colegio de Mexico, Xi's pledge is an indication of China's role in shouldering international responsibilities.
