October, 2022 is likely to go down in history as a month which has seen a major milestone in China’s modernization strategy with the convention of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC). The CPC national congress is held once in every five years. This mega political activity, which ran from October 16 to 22 in Beijing had drawn worldwide attention.
The truly momentous 20th CPC National Congress which has been deemed “an event of critical significance at a crucial time” took place as China embarks on a new journey on all fronts “through a Chinese path to modernization.” The global media buzzed with the reporting on the congress since China stands on the cusp of national rejuvenation and fulfillment of the Chinese Dream, as enunciated by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee.
March on the road to national rejuvenation
At the opening of the week-long congress, Xi Jinping delivered a two-hour long speech entitled “Hold High the Great Banner of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics and Strive in Unity to Build a Modern Socialist Country in All Respects”. Xi’s keynote address, known as a work report, is a panoramic blueprint for the next phase of China’s modernization. Notably, the phrase “the Chinese path to modernization” has for the first time been written into a key CPC congress report which seems to be heightened to a level as “to build socialism with Chinese characteristics.”
Since taking the helm of CPC leadership in 2012, Xi has guided the Party and the people at large to take giant steps towards achieving the “Two Centenary Goals,” summed up by him as: “We embraced the centenary of the Communist Party of China; we ushered in a new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics; and we eradicated absolute poverty and finished building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, thus completing the First Centenary Goal.”
While reviewing the progress achieved in the last five years, Xi also set a time frame for achieving the goals for the future of China: First, the CPC which is now the world’s largest political party will lead China to “basically realize socialist modernization from 2020 through 2035,” and second, it will “build China into a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful from 2035 through the middle of this century.”
From achievements over the past decade, it is evident that Xi is holding up China as a confident global power. Socialism with Chinese characteristics is the basic feature of China’s development path. Surely, the 20th CPC National Congress will inject a new impetus into China’s rejuvenation drive to build a great modern socialist country by 2035 which will play a greater role in global governance.
Delegates raise their hands to vote at the closing session of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 22, 2022. (Photo/Xinhua)
The Chinese Dream
Since the CPC came into being in 1921, the Party’s leadership of several generations have all made unremitting efforts to serve the people wholeheartedly. The essence of the CPC is to establish the Party for the public and for the people. The fundamental goal of the CPC is to serve the people heart and soul. Having stood major tests one after another since the 18th CPC National Congress, the Party has shown firm leadership and demonstrated strong capacity to organize and deliver better lives to the Chinese people.
Ten years ago, Xi Jinping started his leadership speaking about the “Chinese Dream”. It is an end to the worst kinds of poverty and the rejuvenation of a nation for which the Chinese people have been striving for over a century. Looking at China’s remarkable achievements over the last 10 years, it seems that the “Chinese Dream” is not any longer a theoretical or wishful thinking but has already become a reality.
During the 20th CPC National Congress, it is shown to be remarkable that the 96-million-strong Party has led the Chinese people in realizing the “First Centenary Goal” of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. Now the Chinese are embarking on the new journey toward the “Second Centenary Goal” of building China into a modern socialist country in all respects.
In the past decade, the overarching focus of China under Xi’s governance has been on delivering a better life to all Chinese people. China has scored a complete victory in its fight against absolute poverty. Around 98.99 million people in rural areas were lifted out of poverty defined by the existing standard. In the face of the sudden outbreak of COVID-19, the Chinese government under President Xi’s leadership has spared no effort to prevent both inbound cases and domestic resurgence, and adhered to dynamic zero-COVID policy. The Chinese leadership’s efforts have protected the lives and health of 1.4 billion Chinese people to the greatest possible extent.
During the presentation of his report about creating China into a great modern socialist country, Xi pointed out that China’s goal is essentially about delivering a better life to all Chinese. He highlighted key facts, achievements and targets for various sectors, namely, economic growth, high-standard opening up, compliance with the constitution, ecological and environmental progress, national defense modernization as well as international relations. He emphasized the significance of Party building and the battle against corruption.
It is worth mentioning that in the past decade, China’s economic strength has leaped to new heights. In 2021, China’s economy accounted for 18.5 percent of the world’s total, up 7.2 percentage points from 2012. China’s per capita GDP has exceeded $10,000 for three consecutive years. China’s development has brought more opportunities and momentum to the world.
People pose for a photo at a paddy scenic spot in Huangfu village, Chang’an district of Xi’an city, Northwest China’s Shaanxi province, Oct. 21, 2022. (Photo/Xinhua)
Taiwan question and national reunification
It is the right of every country to maintain a strong national defense to safeguard its interests as well its sovereignty. It is a known fact that there is but one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. The position of the Chinese government and people on the Taiwan question is consistent. Resolutely safeguarding China’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity is the firm will of the more than 1.4 billion Chinese people.
In his speech at the Congress, Xi vowed to take resolute steps to oppose “Taiwan independence”. Beijing sent a strong warning to the foreign interference with a geopolitical objective in China’s domestic affairs – be it Taiwan or Xinjiang or Tibet or Hong Kong. “Resolving the Taiwan question is a matter for the Chinese, a matter that must be resolved by the Chinese. We will continue to strive for peaceful reunification with the greatest sincerity and the utmost effort, but we will never promise to renounce the use of force, and we reserve the option of taking all measures necessary,” Xi said.
Without making any direct reference to the United States, Xi’s answer to the Taiwan question is firm and clear: “The wheels of history are rolling on toward China’s reunification and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Complete reunification of our country must be realized, and it can, without doubt, be realized.” It should be noted here that the CPC adopted a resolution opposing and deterring separatists seeking “Taiwan independence” in the Party Constitution at the closing session of the 20th CPC National Congress on October 22.
The U.S. government should keep in mind that mishandling of the Taiwan question will have a disruptive impact on the China-U.S. ties.
This photo taken on Oct. 22, 2022 shows the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China. (Photo/Xinhua)
China’s growing role in the world
The 20th CPC National Congress is of critical importance to China’s all-round progress. It has reviewed the Party’s work, the major achievements and valuable experience since 2017 and determined the members of CPC central leading bodies who will take the relay baton and lead Chinese people to write a new chapter in building a modern socialist country.
In the past decades, China has shown the world that it has earned the right to play an important role in global affairs. China has expanded the circle of friends all over the world, and achieved solid and significant outcomes in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. To solve the deficits of peace, development, trust and governance faced by the international community, President Xi has proposed two major initiatives, the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative. He advocated fostering global development partnership, and achieving a stronger, greener and healthier global development.
In times full of uncertainties and volatilities, China needs the effective leadership of CPC. China is rising unabatedly under Xi Jinping’s stewardship and will continue to do so in the days to come. Now it is a critical time for China to embark on a new journey to rejuvenate the Chinese nation and to establish mutually beneficial relationships among world players without conflict or confrontation.
The article reflects the author‘s opinions, and not necessarily the views of China Focus.
