Exclusive Interview | Consul General Guo Shaochun on China’s Development, China–U.S. Relations, Cultural Exchange, and People-Centered Diplomacy
LAPost / Los Angeles, Ca (December 8, 2025) — In an exclusive interview with The Los Angeles Post (LAPost), Consul General Guo Shaochun shared his views on China’s development outlook, China–U.S. relations following the Busan meeting between the two heads of state, the importance of cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and new measures in consular services. Below is the full Q&A transcript.
Q1. The international community is following closely on the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee. The session adopted the Recommendations for the formulating of the 15th Five-Year Plan, signaling China’s intention to share development opportunities with the world. How should we understand the phrase “China’s opportunity is the world’s opportunity”?
Guo Shaochun:
From October 20 to 23, 2025, The Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee was successfully convened in Beijing. The most notable outcome is the Recommendations of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development, which outlines China’s development blueprint for the next five years and conveys the country’s vision of sharing opportunities and fostering growth with the rest of the world. The scientific planning and consistent implementation of Five-Year Plan has long been a core governance method of the CPC and an important institutional strength of socialism with Chinese characteristics.
Looking back at the 14th Five-Year Plan period from 2021 to 2025, in the face of a complicated international landscape and the challenging domestic tasks of advancing reform, promoting development, and ensuring stability, Chinese people united and led by the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core met difficulties head-on and forged ahead with determination. We withstood the severe shocks from a once-in-a-century Covid-19 pandemic, responded effectively to many major risks and challenges, and secured significant new achievements in social and economic development. China reached new heights in terms of economic strength, technological capabilities, and composite national strength. China’s average annual GDP growth rate reached 5.5%, contributing around 30% of global economic growth each year. China’s economic output continued its steady rise and is expected to reach 140 trillion yuan (about USD 19.6 trillion) in 2025. China continues to be one of the most stable, reliable, and dynamic forces driving global development.
The Chinese government has consistently adhered to a people-centered development approach, continuously enhancing the public’s sense of gain and happiness. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, more than 12 million new urban jobs were created each year. The completion rate of nine-year compulsory education and coverage rates of basic pension and basic medical insurance all exceeded 95%. High-quality medical resources became more evenly distributed, allowing more residents in central and western regions to access advanced healthcare locally. Life expectancy in China rose to 79 years, maintaining an increase of one year every five years. Green development also became a defining feature of China’s progress: forest coverage exceeded 25%, accounting for a quarter of global increase in greened areas; the installed capacity of renewable energy surpassed coal power for the first time; and by 2024, China’s new energy vehicle fleet reached 31.4 million—over five times the level at the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan period.
Looking ahead to the 15th Five-Year Plan period, it will serve as a crucial bridge in China’s journey toward basically realizing socialist modernization. The new Proposal lays out clear objectives for economic and social development, reflecting a steady and pragmatic outlook. China will continue to pursue high-quality development, drive scientific and technological innovation, and cultivate new productive forces. It will further open up at a higher standard, expand institutional opening-up, safeguard the multilateral trading system, enhance international circulation, promote innovative trade development, deepen two-way investment cooperation, and advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation—creating shared opportunities for all countries.
In the next five years, China’s household consumption rate will rise significantly, with domestic demand playing an even stronger role as the main engine of growth. New industrialization, digitalization, urbanization, and agricultural modernization will make major strides. Strategic emerging industries—such as new energy, new materials, aerospace, and low-altitude economy—are expected to generate trillion-yuan-level markets. By 2035, China aims to join the ranks of moderately developed countries, raise GDP per capita to USD 20,000, and expand its middle-income group to 700–800 million people. China is on track to become the world’s largest consumer market and the largest importer of goods.
China’s commitment to high-quality development, high-standard opening-up, expanding domestic demand, and promoting scientific, technological, and green innovation—combined with its vast market size and growth potential—will create new opportunities of cooperation and inject momentum of win-win results for companies around the world, including those from the United States. China’s foreign investment negative list has already been cut to just 29 items, and all restrictions on foreign investment in manufacturing have been removed. Going forward, market access in services will continue to expand, and demand for high-quality imported goods and services will keep rising. This will open even broader space for cooperation between Chinese and American businesses.
Q2. Following the successful meeting between the Chinese and U.S. presidents in Busan last October, what role will their consensus play in guiding bilateral cooperation—especially in economic and trade relations? How can Los Angeles and Southern California benefit from the new momentum in U.S.–China economic engagement?
Guo Shaochun:
As global changes accelerate at a scale unseen in a century, a stable and sound China–U.S. relationship matters not only to both peoples but also to the future of the world. On October 30, President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump held a successful meeting in Busan, once again providing strategic guidance for bilateral ties at a critical moment. President Xi emphasized that China and the United States should be partners and friends. This is what history has taught us and what reality needs. President Trump noted that China is the biggest partner of the U.S. Together, our two countries can get many great things done for the world and have many years of success. The two presidents agreed to enhance cooperation in economic, trade, energy and other fields. Meanwhile, the two sides are committed to safeguarding and implementing the important consensus reached by the two leaders, delivering concrete outcomes that will bring confidence and stability to both economies and to the global market.
California has long been one of China’s most important economic and trade partners in the United States, leading all states of the U.S. in engagement with China. California and its cities have established sister-state and sister-city relationships with many Chinese provinces and cities, fostering pragmatic cooperation and mutual benefit. To highlight a few of them, Los Angeles and Guangzhou, Long Beach and Qingdao, Riverside and Jiangmen among others, have continued to deepen their partnerships, injecting new momentum into economic exchanges. More than half of the cargo moving through the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach is China-related. Both Ports have worked with the Port of Shanghai to build a Green Shipping Corridor. In recent years, the Port of Los Angeles has also established a sister-port relationship with Hebei Port Group, while the city of Long Beach, building on its cooperation with Qingdao, has formed a new partnership with Xiamen Port. Since 2016, the “China–California Business Forum” has been successfully held seven times, becoming a key platform for sub-national economic cooperation between the two countries.
As Southern California is home to one of the largest Chinese diaspora communities in the United States, the contribution by the Chinese community should be recognized. They have long served as an important bridge fostering China–U.S. relations and people-to-people connections. With their unique strengths in cross-cultural communication, resource integration, and information exchange, the Chinese community can play an important role in deepening sub-national cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.
Looking ahead, I hope Los Angeles and Southern California will seize this important opportunity, and continue to see China as a key partner, invest in long-term engagement, and grow alongside China. The Consulate General stands ready to work with all sectors across the consular district to deepen economic, trade, and cultural exchanges, advancing mutually beneficial cooperation.
Q3. In recent months, the Chinese Consulate General held events such as the Film Reception “Remember History, Promote Peace Together” and the Event “Flying Tigers Veterans Meet Giant Pandas”. How important are these events? What message is the Consulate General sending? How can young people in China and the United States carry forward the “Flying Tigers Spirit”?
Guo Shaochun:
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. The Chinese government held a national commemoration ceremony in Beijing, while our Consulate General organized a series of memorial events to honor history, pay tribute to those who sacrificed, cherish peace, and inspire the future.
It is important to share with American friends the history and stories of the bond of friendship and cooperation between China and the U.S. Eighty years ago, thousands of young Flying Tigers pilots crossed the Pacific to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Chinese people in the fight against Japanese fascism. More than 2,000 Flying Tigers lost their lives; over 200 were rescued by Chinese civilians after crash-landing—many of whom sacrificed their own lives in the process. This bond, forged in blood and fire, became a powerful symbol of the enduring friendship between the Chinese and American peoples.
Today, giant pandas—including Yun Chuan and Xin Bao—carry the goodwill of the Chinese people across the Pacific, bringing joy to Americans nationwide. Both the Flying Tigers and the giant pandas are warmly welcomed because they embody something deeper: the ability of our two peoples to overcome differences through trust, replace confrontation with cooperation, and build bridges of friendship through sincerity.
As President Xi Jinping pointed out, the hope of the China–U.S. relationship lies in the people, its foundation is in our societies, its future depends on the youth, and its vitality comes from exchanges at sub-national levels. Every meaningful step forward in China–U.S. relations depends on mutual understanding and mutual support between our peoples. Looking ahead, it falls to the younger generation in both countries to inherit, expand, and deepen this friendship cast in fire and blood by our hearts.
It is encouraging to see that many young Americans—especially descendants of Flying Tigers veterans—are embracing the role of “new-generation Flying Tigers.” Under sister-city partnerships, Guangzhou and Los Angeles youth have engaged in water polo and other sports exchanges; the Qingdao–Long Beach Pen Pal Program has helped university students build trust and understanding; the “Bond with Kuliang” youth choir exchange continues a cross-century bond; young people and teachers from Irvine, California, have traveled to Xiamen for immersive cultural programs. A growing web of exchange is bringing young people of our two nations closer than ever before.
As one centenarian Flying Tigers veteran expressed his heartfelt wish during his visit to China: “May China–U.S. friendship last forever.” Passing the torch of this friendship requires the commitment, continuity, and courage of a new generation of “Flying Tigers” and “Goodwill Envoys”.
We hope that communities across our consular district will continue to support and engage in youth exchange and mutual learning opportunities between our two countries, contributing new chapters to the story of China–U.S. friendship. The Consulate General will continue to serve as a bridge, providing support and resources to help young people in both countries learn from each other and grow together.
Q4. This year, several Chinese films—including Ne Zha 2—have entered the Los Angeles market to great success, while the 21st China–U.S. Film and TV Festival was held in Los Angeles last month. How do you view Los Angeles’ role as a bridge for cultural exchange between China and the United States? What message do you have for filmmakers?
Guo Shaochun:
Film and television are unique art forms that help deepen understanding and strengthen friendship between the peoples of China and the United States. Hollywood’s global influence, combined with Los Angeles’ reputation as the world’s entertainment capital—with its rich production experience, international distribution capabilities, creative talent, and mature industry chain—allows the city to serve as a key gateway and bridge for China–U.S. cultural and cinematic exchange.
For decades, China and Hollywood have engaged in various forms of collaboration, including co-productions, technical exchanges, talent development, and market partnerships—efforts that have consistently delivered mutual benefits.
This year, several Chinese productions entered the North American market through Los Angeles. Ne Zha 2 was a major success, setting a new North American box-office record for a Chinese-language film. Over the past 21 years, the China–U.S. Film and TV Festival has grown significantly, receiving more than 9,500 submissions and drawing over 1.9 million viewers; this year alone, more than 600 Chinese- and English-language films and television works participated. These achievements show that there is broad cultural resonance and a strong desire for mutual understanding among our two peoples. I am confident that Los Angeles will continue to play an important role in deepening cultural ties through film and television.
In 2023, President Xi Jinping put forward the Global Civilization Initiative which emphasizes that “a single flower does not make spring; only when hundreds of flowers bloom does spring flourish”. It underscores that diverse civilizations should coexist, learn from one another, and thrive through exchanges. China’s 15th Five-Year Plan calls for deeper cultural exchange and wider international cooperation, encouraging more cultural enterprises and creative works to reach global audiences.
Taking this opportunity, I want to express my respect to filmmakers from both countries. Your creative work—your stories, images, and ideas—forms an essential bridge connecting the hearts and minds of our peoples. I hope you will continue to embrace openness, professionalism, innovation, and collaboration, using the power of storytelling to showcase China–U.S. friendship and bring renewed vitality, creativity, and emotional resonance to cultural exchange. The Consulate General will continue to work with partners across our consular district to advance film and cultural cooperation, with a view to strengthening mutual understanding and friendship between our peoples.
Q5. You have emphasized on many occasions that the Consulate General prioritizes “Diplomacy for the People.” Can you share examples? What should applicants know about the new online visa system? What additional service measures are being taken?
Guo Shaochun:
“Diplomacy for the people” is a core mission of China’s diplomacy and a responsibility the Consulate General takes very seriously. The newly launched online visa application system is designed to provide faster, more convenient, and higher-quality service for applicants in our district. The system allows users to track the status of their applications in real time, understand each processing stage clearly, and upload supplementary documents online—making the entire process more efficient and user-friendly.
Applicants should plan their visa submission in line with their travel schedule and monitor their application status in a timely manner to avoid unnecessary delays. Since the system went online at the end of September, the Consulate General has already processed nearly 10,000 visa applications. In addition, China now offers unilateral visa-free entry to 48 countries, and many travelers in our district are also eligible for China’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy. The continued enthusiasm for visiting China motivates us to keep improving our services. We will do our utmost to make the process smooth and reassuring for every applicant.
The Consulate General warmly welcomes more American friends to visit and engage with China. We also encourage more American youth to participate in the “YES Program” and experience a China that is trustworthy, lovable, and admirable through travel and study. To enable an easy-go travel for friends, we keep issuing 10-year multiple-entry visas to eligible applicants, provide “at-your-doorstep” consular services beyond Southern California, offer walk-in processing without appointments, and create green channels for business, work, study, and urgent humanitarian applicants.
We remain deeply committed to the safety and well-being of overseas Chinese citizens in our consular district. We will continue to provide reliable consular protection and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of our compatriots—serving as both their protector and trustworthy partner.
(Interviewed by: Editor-in-Chief of LAPost)
