On March 14, 2026, H.E. Lin Ji, Chinese Ambassador to Suriname, published a signed article titled "China Delivers Development Confidence and Opportunities to the World" in the major Surinamese newspaper, De Ware Tijd. The full text is as follows:
The recently concluded "Two Sessions" in China serve not only as a window for the world to observe China's governance but also as an opportunity for China to convey confidence and opportunities to the international community. In a world intertwined with change and turbulence, where some regions are undergoing the baptism of fire and instability, China has launched its 15th Five-Year Plan. With robust institutional resilience and policy continuity, China is injecting precious positive energy and stability into global development.
China provides certainty through high-quality development, injecting confidence and strength into the global economy. In 2025, China's GDP surpassed the 140 trillion yuan mark (approximately $20 trillion USD), a year-on-year increase of 5%, ranking among the top of the world's major economies. Against the backdrop of weak global economic growth and increasing uncertainty, China—accounting for about 17% of the global economy—contributed 30% of global economic growth.
China consistently upholds the spirit of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, embracing the world with an open posture. In 2025, China's goods imports reached 18.5 trillion yuan, maintaining its position as the world's second-largest importer for 17 consecutive years. Imports from over 130 countries and regions in Asia, Latin America, and Africa achieved growth. China continues to optimize market access for agricultural and food products, having hosted the China International Import Expo (CIIE) for eight consecutive years and launched the "Sharing the Great Market: Export to China" series of activities. Through these concrete actions, China is bringing more global commodities into its market. China not only shoulders the responsibility of being the "World's Factory" but also plays the role of the "World's Market," earnestly fulfilling its responsibility as a major country to promote global prosperity.
China is anchored in high-quality development, setting a series of goals for 2026—including an economic growth target of 4.5% to 5%—and proposing development measures that demonstrate a firm and powerful new pace. China has explicitly stated its goal to reach the level of a moderately developed country in terms of per capita GDP by 2035. Looking ahead, as the world's largest potential consumer market and largest emerging economy, China’s conditions for long-term economic improvement are becoming more refined, and the fundamental trend of sustained growth is more consolidated. China will continue to be the most stable source of power for global growth, opening new opportunities for countries worldwide, including Suriname.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Suriname. Standing at a new historical starting point, China is willing to work hand-in-hand with Suriname to deeply align our 15th Five-Year Plan with Suriname's national development strategy. We aim to continuously deepen pragmatic cooperation in various fields such as trade, energy, minerals, and infrastructure, jointly writing a new chapter of win-win cooperation for countries of the Global South and contributing more strength to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.
