Interview: China faces one of the most important periods of opportunity and challenge

China is faced with plenty of opportunity but not without challenging problems, the director of the Observatory of Chinese Politics Xulio Rios told Xinhua in a recent interview.

The interview was conducted on the occasion of the European Forum on the Chinese Development Model held in the Mediterranean city of Barcelona, Spain, on Monday.

The event gathered 50 researchers from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) who discussed with other Spanish scholars China's development model.

"It is an important moment and there are many challenges and opportunities," Rios said, adding that around the economy "revolves everything else."

He also drew attention to social harmony, saying that Chinese society as a whole can be part of the country's economic development and help push consumption as a new pillar for growth.

He highlighted the importance of "preserving sovereignty," for China to pursue its own path, "an independent path" without becoming dependent on its rivals.

"The resolution of all these problems will enable China to achieve the Chinese dream and complete the process of modernization," said Rios.

He also drew attention to Spain's role in its relations with China and Europe.

"An event like this recognizes the role that Spain plays within the international arena, its relationship with China and within Europe, both economically, politically and also in the academic field," he said.

The Forum, organized by CASS in collaboration with Casa Asia, featured four panels on topics related to China's political system and the core values of socialism and culture in China's reforms and social development. Endi