A Congress of Key Importance

By Hassan Arshad Chattha

The Communist Party of China’s week long Congress, that is held once every 5 years since the 11th Communist Party of China (CPC) Congress in 1977, just kicked off its 19th gathering of the top leadership and the delegates of the base of the 90 million strong CPC. This year, the event that is usually very significant for the Chinese nation, is also being given considerable attention in the halls of power, the business community and the media the world over. 

The press center of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) holds a press conference on promoting the steady, healthy and sustainable development of Chinese economy, in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 21, 2017. [Photo: Xinhua]

As President Xi noted in his marathon 3 hours and 32 minute long speech, “This is a historic new juncture in China’s development”, and a “new era” of Chinese politics and power.

At this critical juncture, as President Xi heralds the completion of his first 5 illustrious years as leader of the party and the country, it is a monumental occasion for it to set out policy and strategy that the world’s largest manufacturing base and most populous country is set to follow for the next 5 years and beyond. 

The significance of this particular CPC Congress is even greater due to seismic geopolitical shifts that have occurred in the last few years. With the election of Donald Trump to the US presidency, the policy of the US has begun to tilt towards isolationism and protectionism. Once the champion of the free trade movement and globalization, the US has begun to shift policy in a more introspective direction and backed away from a position of global leadership. 

A post-Brexit Europe is also beset with its own economic and sociopolitical woes and seems to have disengaged from the global stage in many key areas.

This leaves China as not just a major driving force of the global economy, but also in a unique position of stability and available resources to step forward to take up the mantle. It is for these reasons that this Party Congress holds so much importance for the world as it seeks a stable foundation to continue forwards. 

The Congress is a reflection of the progress and issues faced since the last Congress, and lays down future policy. This year, President Xi reasserted renewed vigor to continue the massive anti-corruption campaign that had been ongoing for the last 5 years in a bid to rid the party of elements deemed dishonest. 

Furthermore, timelines were set for the attainment of critical goals. In the pursuit of the lofty ‘Chinese Dream’, a catchphrase Xi coined himself, the first centennial goal is to build a moderately prosperous society by 2021. And raising the bar even higher, is the goal to turn China into a “great modern socialist country” by 2049.

There was also mention of revamping the social outlook of the Chinese nation for more progressive attitudes. Now the principal contradiction facing Chinese society is meeting the people’s ever-growing needs for a better life with unbalanced and inadequate social development. 

Another significant observation is the determined focus on making China a world leader in green energy and reasserting the importance of tackling the effects of climate change. It is a matter of significance to have a leader of Xi’s stature acknowledging and committing to tackle this critical issue.

On the other hand, even though the Congress is more about politics than policy, the business community the world over also carefully monitored the activity for signs of any major policy shifts regarding trade, manufacturing, banking, business and research.

There is much anticipation that a proven and strengthened Xi will be able to push through structural and economic reforms, although that remains to be seen. The challenge that the Party and the country are gearing up to face includes somehow maintaining China’s incredible economic growth pattern in more globally uncertain conditions and find a way to shorten the increasing wealth gap, enhance economic growth in underdeveloped regions, structural reforms and income stability. 

To those ends, it is to be expected that President Xi will prefer to have close allies at key positions to ensure better cooperation and effective implementation of policies.

Challenges in the pursuit of the “Chinese Dream” were reflected upon soberly. “It will take more than drum beating and gong clanging to get there.” 

However, the general tone of the speech and the Congress was upbeat and the hopes and aspirations stemming from it can be summed up from the speech as: “The Chinese nation is a great nation; it has been through hardships and adversity but remains indomitable. The Chinese people are a great people; they are industrious and brave and they never pause in pursuit of progress”

 (Hassan Arshad Chattha, Analyst, digital media strategist, consultant and content producer currently based in Beijing. Can be reached at: hassanarshadlive@outlook.com)