Daily Times

The 19th Communist Party of China (CPC) National Congress commenced at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on October 18, 2017. President Xi Jinping, in his report to the Congress, 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 mechanisation, 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 realise socialist modernisation 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 modernisation 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.

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; modernising 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.

Western countries who don’t appreciate the intricacies of Chinese democracy perceive it from the prism of their own system that is based on the US or the Westminster models

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 will deliberate and adopt an amendment to the CPC Constitution. It will also elect 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), Politburo, Politburo Standing Committee and Central Military Commission will be held.

This scribe had the opportunity to cover the 18th CPC Congress in 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.

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 US or the Westminster. China has adapted a style of governance and democratic rule, which is more suitable to its people and is flexible in accordance with changing times. 2,280 delegates including 24.2 per cent women and 11.5 per cent 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. Today it 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.

The writer is a retired Group Captain of PAF. He is a columnist, analyst and TV Talk show host, who has authored six books on current affairs, including three on China

Published in Daily Times, October 21^st 2017.