Article source
The World Bank
Article date
Sat, Sep 14, 2013
Thank you very much for joining us today.
First I’d like to thank the Chinese people for the warm welcome I’ve received on my arrival.
I know from my last visit to China that we share a common passion to end poverty and build shared prosperity.
For the past 30 years, China has grown at a high speed, at an average of about 10 percent per year, lifting more than 500 million people out of poverty.
This is truly remarkable. It is an achievement for the history books. Still, such rapid growth is taking a toll, as China’s leaders are well aware.
I’m encouraged by the Chinese government’s commitment to reforms, to sustain growth and improve the lives of its people.