A view of the opening ceremony of Understanding China 2020 Conference in Guangzhou, capital of South China's Guangdong Province on Friday. Photo: Li Xuanmin/ GT

Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter on Friday to the opening ceremony of the Understanding China Conference 2020 in Guangzhou, capital of South China's Guangdong Province - a platform that showcases Beijing's commitment to deepening reform and opening-up amid rising unilateralism.

This year, the two-day conference which kicked off on Friday, is themed "big transformation, big test and big cooperation- a new path to China's modernization and the creation of a community of shared future for mankind." 

The world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century and the sudden strike of COVID-19 is a fresh reminder that humanity is a community with shared destiny, Xi said in the letter.

In the face of various complicated and serious challenges, humanity needs more than ever to strengthen cooperation to overcome difficulties, he noted.

Xi said that the fifth plenary session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has made comprehensive plans for China's development in the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) period. China is close to achieving the goals of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and eradicating poverty, and it will embark on a new journey to fully build a modern socialist country next year, he said.

Xi expressed the hope that attendees at the conference will make contributions to facilitating China's exchanges and cooperation with the world and building a community with a shared future for humanity.

According to the organizing committee, the conference will also provide the world with a deeper understanding of the spirit of the fifth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee, which concluded in late October. A communiqué was released after the meeting, which outlined the main objectives of the 14th Five-Year Plan - to seek new achievements in six areas - and the long-term vision to realize socialist modernization by 2035.

China will take "great responsibility" in a world where some countries dismiss a rules-based international system and neglect the value of international cooperation, Ernesto Zedillo, former president of Mexico, said in a video speech during the opening ceremony.

"The global powers, joined decisively by enlightened emerging countries, can decide to work together on the other path … which are good for every country and constitute the most probable outcome," Zedillo noted.

Beijing's "dual circulation" strategy - which focuses on rapidly developing its domestic market competency while also engaging in global arena - will also create prosperity for the world, Shanghai Cooperation Organization Secretary-General Vladimir Norov said at the opening ceremony.

 "It can be said that China has saved the world economy twice: first with a giant investment program following the global financial crisis of 2008-2009, and now with a rapid recovery from the successful fight against the coronavirus in the country," Norov stressed.

Understanding China Conference has gathered about 150 international guests featured world-famous politicians, scholars, strategists, entrepreneurs, ambassadors and international organizations from over 20 countries and regions, including the US, Russia, Europe, Japan, South Korea and Singapore.

During the two-day meeting, participants are expected to attend in-depth discussions, seminars and forums with topics including the new infrastructure and new manufacturing, China's financial challenges and opportunities under the dual-circulation strategy and tech innovation and global cooperation.