Daily Times

The history of prosperous nations around the world will reveal that there success was only possible after a long struggle and the resilience of their countrymen, who were led by able leaders. If we study the political roadmap, way of life and especially the economy of the People’s Republic of China, we would find out that this great nation started its journey from scratch and now aims beyond skies.

As the People’s Republic is all set to celebrate the 69th anniversary of modern China; let us take a journey of this nation. How has it has progressed over the past seven decades?  In the past 69 years, China has witnessed tremendous progress within the country, becoming the world’s second largest economy, wherein the lives of around two billion people have significantly improved. While the world and China have never been as closely integrated as they are today, the country has entered a new era, with a mega plan for turning into a great modern socialist country in all respects.  To attain this, they have adhered to the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party and also have kept an open mind regarding reforms.

Reforms and exposure to the outside world have both profoundly changed China and greatly influenced the world. The country has not only developed itself, but also contributed to progress in other developing countries. Under the able leadership of President Xi Jinping, it is striving to build up a modern economic system, deepen the supply-side structural reform and speed up its innovation-driven development strategy.

China is also carrying out a number of major measures, including significantly broadening market access, creating a more attractive investment environment, strengthening protection of intellectual property rights, and expanding imports.

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a momentous step by China to expand external cooperation. This initiative is unfolding day by day and has the vision of linking China`s economy to the rest of the world. In Pakistan, the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is regarded as a game changer that is going to bring economic stability to the country and generate employment for the people, especially the skilled youth of the country. With the expected addition of Saudi Arabia as a third strategic partner in CPEC, it has all the potential to revive the socio-economic status of the underprivileged masses.  All of us know that China has been Pakistan’s all-weather friend and the closest of strategic partners. Bilateral ties between the two countries continued to attain new heights in the recent years after the benefits of CPEC started unfolding and shaping up to make it a flagship project for both the countries.   Modern China presents a dual image. It is a society transforming itself through economic development and infrastructure investment that aspires to global leadership; and the world’s largest and oldest bureaucratic state, with multiple traditions in its cultural, economic, and political life.

The Confucian message on soft power is clear: Lead by moral authority, not force. Keep your own house in order, and others will follow your example

The modern society and state that is emerging in China bears the indelible imprint of China’s historical experience, of its patterns of philosophy and religion, and of its social and political thought. These themes are discussed in order to understand China in the twenty-­first century and as a great world civilization that developed along lines different from those of the Mediterranean. The modern period of China explores China’s transformation from empire to nation; its dramatic encounter with the era of imperialism; the rise of alternative models for a modern China; and the prospects for Chinese leadership in the 21st century.

As China expands its reach around the world, its power is also growing in its own backyard. The United States exerts considerably less influence than it used to in Southeast Asia, and China is increasingly filling that role, even in countries that were once firmly anti-communist.  China’s influence steadily expands around the globe, the country faces the public relations challenge of ensuring that the rest of the world sees it in a favourable prism. China hopes to accomplish this goal through the use of “soft power” by exporting its culture.

One facet of China’s effort to win support centres on the ancient philosopher Confucius, who has become something of a Chinese brand. The country has opened hundreds of schools worldwide bearing his name to teach Chinese culture and language. Every year, Chinese officials and family members gather in front of the grand halls and ancient cypress trees of Confucius’ home to celebrate his birth, now 2,558 years ago. Attendants in embroidered robes perform ritual prostrations, and students recite Confucian texts.

Confucianism was at the heart of what made China the soft-power powerhouse of Asia for centuries. Even countries like Japan, Korea and Vietnam are willingly adopting Confucian culture, as well as Chinese forms of government, art and literature. A study recently revealed that China has established more than 200 “Confucius Institutes” since 2002 in about 60 countries.

It is an agreed fact that one of the strongest force of soft-power is competition in sports; that is why China made all out efforts to host the Beijing Olympics. Once it got this opportunity, it made a huge positive impact on the world; despite antagonism from the West. An opinion poll done in Asia suggests that an overwhelming majority of people have approved of China’s leadership, which is an acceptance of their policies to change the economic roadmap of this region for the better; the situation is different in the West though. The Confucian message on soft power is clear: Lead by moral authority, not force. Keep your own house in order, and others will follow your example. China is perfectly following this model and the country is now even more influential on the basis of its booming economy, diplomacy and cultural ties around the world.

The writer is Secretary- General Pakistan China Friendship Association & Radia China listener’s Club

Published in Daily Times, February 19^th 2019.