Xi’s Report at the 19th National Congress Aiming at Creating China into a Great Modern Socialist Country

Xi Jinping is to deliver a report to the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on behalf of the 18th Central Committee of the CPC at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 18, 2017. [Photo: Xinhua]

By Shafei Moiz Hali

China has come a long way in a very short time and the best part is that, it is predicted to go even further with the overhauling of its engine in the form of reforms and the Belt and Road initiative. China is expected to be ranked the highest in terms of GDP by 2050, PWC (Price Waterhouse Coopers) expects China to have GDP of $61 trillion (US$2014) or higher. Due to China’s rise as a global leader in terms of economy, trade and most forthcoming initiatives in the presence of sluggish global economic growth, everyone is concerned about as well as interested in China’s future. This is the reason why global media is a buzz with the reporting on the ongoing 19th CPC National Congress. 

The 19th CPC National Congress holds tremendous importance as it sets the course for the future of China and with the election of all major decision makers and even the selection of the top men of China; namely the members of the Politburo Standing Committee. Extra attention has been garnered by the meeting because of three major reasons. Firstly, due to the ever increasing China’s global leadership role, this has raised the stakes of China’s worldwide success. Secondly because of the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative in which countless international projects are underway with 100 plus stake holders, which include countries as well as organizations. Thirdly, the reform process in China is still underway and China's 2016 GDP of $11.2 trillion accounted for 14.8 percent of the world economy, which shows that China holds a key place in the revival of the global economy. Economic reforms are tricky and demand dedicated and meticulous planning from the leadership to be fully enforced and then to yield their benefits. Thus any slip up can be costly and the planning and leadership roles achieved during the 19th National Congress are the key.   

The reasons for China’s current remarkable economic output include the ever adapting and evolving principles of socialism with Chinese characteristics and this has been possible solely due to the CPC’s promise for creating a better homeland for the Chinese people. Over the years whenever China’s progress might get snagged, the leadership of the CPC responded in advance to overcome such hindrances. First Chairman Mao instilled the concepts of socialism within the society, later Deng Xiaoping foresaw future deterrents towards economic growth and opened up the Chinese economy and now President Xi is carrying the torch and lighting up the way ahead for a greater, better and stronger China. China is becoming an example as well as a case study for politicians and academicians around the world that Marxism-Leninism are keys to success if socialist principles are adapted in the context of the local culture and practices. Since the success of the CPC lies in its ability to adapt to changing situations, President Xi while presenting his report to the 19th CPC National Congress thought it prudent to reiterate the importance of socialism adapting towards needs of China and mentioned that “Socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era. The CPC has given shape to the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, a long-term guide to action that the Party must adhere to and develop.” The President also reminded the Congress that "The original aspiration and the mission of Chinese Communists is to seek happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation."

The reforms process within China is a major part of the promise of rejuvenation of the Chinese nation made by the CPC and under the leadership of President Xi the efforts made by the CPC have gone to new highs. China’s GDP has grown from 54 trillion to 80 trillion yuan over five years. 60 million people have been lifted out of poverty in the past five years. The RMB has become a global currency and is now a part of the SDR basket. Chinese capital markets have gained stability; Corruption has been significantly curbed as over 200 vice-ministerial or higher level officials and managers have been investigated since the 18th CPC National Congress which is thrice the number of investigations conducted between 2007-2012. And China is investing heavily in innovations and technology to bring about an economic revolution of high-quality growth. 

The above mentioned are major achievements. China is at cross roads because all the major hard work has been done to set the tone for the reforms to be implemented and what remains is the tedious task of seeing them through. It is because of these reasons coupled with President Xi’s forward thinking, that more and more Chinese people are coming closer to achieving the Chinese dream. But in order for every Chinese to reach this stage, the CPC has to see these reforms through. This is what makes the 19th National Congress so important. It is during the sessions of this congress that the plans for the future are going to be set in to motion. 

During the presentation of his report about creating China into a great modern socialist country, Xi highlighted key facts, achievements as well as targets for various sectors, namely, economic growth, further opening up the economy, compliance with the constitution, ecological and environmental progress, military mechanization and modernization, international relations and at the end he emphasized the significance of sovereignty, party building and the fight against the menace of corruption. The report clearly highlights that China has come very close to crossing the finish line for a developing nation. As a professor of governance I believe that for China to make the final dash towards the goal line and achieve the developed nation status, President Xi needs to steer team China through the final yards, as these yards tend to be the hardest to cross. A high degree of skills, visionary characteristics of leadership coupled with experience make President Xi the right quarterback to lead China in achieving the end goal which is to develop China into a "great modern socialist country."

The Author:

Dr. Shafei Moiz Hali studied at George Mason University, Virginia, USA and specialized in the field of International Commerce and Policy. He did his PhD from Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China specializing in Chinese foreign policy focusing on the Belt and Road Initiative and energy issues. Currently Dr. Hali is working as an Assistant Professor with the Faculty of Contemporary Studies, National Defence University (NDU) Islamabad, Pakistan.