I have just attended the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), an epoch-making milestone that will have a far-reaching impact on China and the world. The message is that socialism with Chinese features is entering a new era, which is marked by four new developments.
First, there is a new development in theory. The Congress has adopted the Xi Jinping Thought on socialism with Chinese characteristics for the new era. This is the latest adaptation of Marxism to Chinese conditions and the CPC’s understanding of the laws of social progress. As in the past, the CPC is determined but not rigid; it is always ready to learn but never to copy blindly; and it is committed to blazing its own trail in line with China’s conditions and the trend of the times.
Then there is a new priority. This is to address unbalanced and inadequate development to meet the people’s ever-growing needs for a better life. The CPC has solved the subsistence issue for over one billion people and is leading the nation to achieve moderate prosperity. Now the focus will be on satisfying people’s needs for greater democracy, rule of law, justice, security and a better environment.
Thirdly, there is a new road map for China’s development in the coming decades. These are the goals of building a moderately prosperous society by the 100th anniversary of the CPC in 2020, realising socialist modernisation by 2035, and building China as a modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious and beautiful by the middle of this century when the People’s Republic celebrates its 100-year anniversary.
Above all, there is a new central leadership. As we say, great cause requires strong and firm guidance. In a massive country like China, progress would be impossible without strong leadership. The new CPC central leadership with Xi Jinping at its core is confident and determined in leading the Chinese people into a new era.
China has become stronger and wealthier. What will this mean to the world? The 19th Congress highlighted three new missions.
The first is to blaze a new path for state-to-state relations. This differs from the trajectory of traditional powers, because China will always be a staunch force upholding world peace. A stronger and more developed China will never seek hegemony or expansion. China’s vision is for everyone to come together and build a shared future. To this end, China will hold high the banner of peace, development and win-win cooperation, and promote a new type of state-to-state relations based on mutual respect, fairness and justice, cooperation and mutual benefit. The old logic that “the winner takes it all” has no place in the 21st century where countries should embrace dialogue and reject confrontation.
The second mission is to make new endeavours for human progress. China will always be a staunch force for global development because we have the confidence and capability of not only getting things done at home but also bringing along other countries. China is forging partnerships and welcoming other countries aboard the “express train” of China’s rapid growth; China advocates an open world economy and promotes trade and investment liberalisation and facilitation; China has launched a new platform for cooperation and common prosperity with the Belt and Road Initiative; China has stepped up assistance to developing countries, to close the development gap and enable balanced and universal growth.
The third is to contribute new solutions. China’s new theory is contributing to the wealth of existing political systems and governance models by offering its path from development to modernisation. In global governance, China is committed to consultation, joint contribution and shared benefit, and strives to be a force for international order and rules.
China respects other countries’ choices and will never impose its will on others. It stands for resolving disputes through dialogue, and advocates exchanges, mutual learning and coexistence between civilisations. The Chinese nation believes in harmony and sharing prosperity. It believes that happiness has the same definition wherever you are. And China is ready to make its dreams compatible with the dreams of the world’s people. Today, a China that forges ahead with clear missions in mind will bring greater confidence and hope to the world. Together, China can create a brighter future for all.
— The Telegraph Group Limited, London, 2017
Liu Xiaoming is China’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom.
