China's modernization has benefited world: Diplomat

China's continued path to modernization will not only boost global trade but also foster mutual understanding between the world and China, a retired senior diplomat says.

Abdul Majid Ahmad Khan, president of the Malaysia-China Friendship Association and former Malaysian ambassador to China, said that since China's opening-up policy was launched more than 40 years ago, Chinese modernization has benefited the global community.

"First, we came to understand China better. Because for us, before (opening-up), China was quite mysterious," Abdul Majid explained. However, as China engages more with the world through its opening-up, the world's understanding of China deepens, and vice versa, he added.