Fulfilling China’s Destiny

Sultan M. Hali

China’s President Xi Jinping, in his report to the 19th Communist Party of China (CPC) National Congress, which commenced at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on18 October 2017, unveiled a two-stage plan of the CPC to make China a "great modern socialist country" by mid-21st century. The report encompassed nearly all aspects affecting China and the world ranging from economic development, opening up, law-based governance, ecological progress, military mechanization, diplomacy, and party building to unveiling a two-stage development plan for the period from 2020 to the middle of the 21st century to develop China into a "great modern socialist country."

This is the first time that the CPC has set forth a post-2020 strategic plan to make China a "great" country.

The Party will realize socialist modernization in the first stage from 2020 to 2035, before developing China into a "great modern socialist country" that is "prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious and beautiful" after another 15 years. This means the CPC now aims to achieve socialist modernization of the country 15 years ahead of its previous schedule set by the Party's three strategic goals, which were laid out after the adoption of the reform and opening up policy in late 1970s.

Xi Jinping (C), general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), and the other newly-elected members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the 19th CPC Central Committee Li Keqiang (3rd R), Li Zhanshu (3rd L), Wang Yang (2nd R), Wang Huning (2nd L), Zhao Leji (1st R) and Han Zheng, meet the press at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 25, 2017.[photo: Xinhua]

According to the epoch making roadmap, numerous goals have been set for China, which will be met by 2035. These objectives comprise enhancement of economic and technological strength to make the country become a global leader in innovation. Protecting the rights of the people to participate and to develop as equals. Additionally, ensuring that the rule of law for the country, the government, and society is firmly in place; further improving institutions in all fields; modernizing China's system and capacity for governance. A lot of emphasis is being laid on significantly boosting social etiquette and civility. 

Strengthening China's cultural soft power and focusing on greater appeal for Chinese traditions. Raising the quality of life for the people and removing disparities in urban-rural development; shaping a modern social governance system and a society full of vitality, harmony, and order; fundamentally improving the environment and building the goal of a Beautiful China.

The two-stage plan is an important component of 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. President Xi reiterated that the Thought builds on and further enriches Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Theory of Three Represents, and the Scientific Outlook on Development. It represents the latest achievement in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context.

The five-yearly CPC congress is China's most significant political meeting and the entire world focuses its attention to it because of China’s rise in esteem and its impact on global events. The congress has deliberated and adopted an amendment to the CPC Constitution. It also elects the Party's 19th Central Committee and Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. During the meeting of new Central Committee, the elections of General Secretary (Party Leader), Political Bureau, Political Bureau's Standing Committee and Central Military Commission are held.

This scribe had the opportunity to cover the 18th CPC Congress at Beijing and has been closely following the progress of China, especially under the dynamic leadership of President Xi Jinping, who was elevated to the pinnacle of power in 2012. Xi Jinping is a statesman and a pragmatic leader, who has placed his stamp of prominence not just by dint of his personal qualities but because there is a deficit of able leaders globally, which places greater responsibility on China and its current leadership to steer the world through the prevalent stormy milieu.

Last month during a visit to Yinchuan, the capital of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, I had the unique opportunity of touring China’s first metropolis suitably labeled as a “Smart City”. Till now such an innovation was a figment of the imagination, but is now a reality, utilizing information technology and big data. Yinchuan has been transformed into a futuristic city, promoting development pattern, improving economic structure, optimization and upgrading to a smart city.   

Dwelling in the new concept is at smart community centers, where the emphasis is on green city residence, reduction in noise and atmospheric pollution and, supporting the ecological balances rather than disturbing them. Yinchuan has established 500 smart communities, mapped out 11 convenience facilities, with the major beneficiary being the erstwhile impoverished Hui Muslim community.

On a visit to Hefei Advanced Science Institute, I learnt firsthand the breakthrough in Quantum Physics, China’s advances in science and technology, including the successful launch of the Tiangong-2 space lab and the quantum science satellite Mozi. The growth in artificial intelligence and the applications of the discoveries and inventions towards contributing a significant leap in the quality of life of the people focusing on health, education, environment and security with a proactive approach rather than a reactive outlook, where the future is already here.

China’s new development philosophy has led to a constant improvement in the quality and effect of development, highlighting how GDP has increased from 54 trillion to 80 trillion Yuan (around 8.2 trillion to 12.1 trillion US dollars), with China contributing more than 30 percent of global economic growth.

Building a community with a shared future for mankind, China is set to remain firm in its commitment to strengthening friendship and cooperation and forge a new form of international relations based on mutual respect, fairness, justice and win-win cooperation. Today China is in a position to extend financial and moral support to less developed nations to rise to their true potential and eliminate deprivation, poverty and hunger.

President Xi has overseen a massive anti-corruption drive since rising to power five years ago, which has punished more than one million officials making the fight against corruption is still the party's biggest challenge but the concerted response continues.

The Occident does not appreciate the intricacies of Chinese democracy as it perceives it from the prism of its own system like that followed by the U.S. or the Westminster model. China has adapted a style of governance and democratic rule, which is more suitable to its own people and is flexible in accordance with changing times. 2,280 delegates including 24.2 percent women and 11.5 percent minority delegates, chosen from a group of nearly 89 million Party members across the nation are attending the 19th CPC National Congress, making it all pervasive. The opinions of more than 4,700 people, including delegates to the Party's 18th National Congress and newly-elected delegates to its 19th National Congress, have been solicited on the draft report, which has been submitted to the current Congress. If that is not democracy then what else is?

Indeed PRC has come a long way from the first National Congress of the CPC, which took place at Shanghai on July 23, 1921 while it was still under foreign occupation. Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation and fulfilling its destiny is well on its way to being realized.

(The author is a retired PAF Group Captain and a TV talk show host based in Pakistan.)