China’s development and success over the past 70 years have been a result of its close, evolving links with the world, according to a high-profile forum that opened in Shanghai yesterday. More than 300 scholars and opinion leaders from home and abroad attended the 8th World Forum on China Studies, a biennial intellectual event that will run till today. In his opening remarks, Shanghai Party secretary Li Qiang said this year’s forum is appropriately themed “China and the World: Progressing Together over 70 Years,” as the country will celebrate its 70th anniversary in about two weeks.