On 27 October 2017, Chinese Ambassador to Ghana H.E. Mdm. Sun Baohong published a signed article titled Socialism with Chinese Characteristics enters a “New Era” in The Ghanaian Times, a leading newspaper in Ghana.
The full text reads as follows:
The 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) was convened successfully from October 18 to 24, 2017 in Beijing. On behalf of the 18th Central Committee of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered a report titled "Secure a decisive victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and strive for the great success of socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era". General Secretary Xi called on the Party members and the entire people to "Remain true to our original aspiration and keep our mission firmly in mind, hold high the banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, secure a decisive victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, strive for the great success of socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era, and work tirelessly to realize the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation".
The Congress pointed out that socialism with Chinese characteristics has crossed the threshold into a "new era" which is the new historic juncture in China's development, the principal contradiction facing Chinese society has evolved into one between unbalanced and inadequate development and the people's ever-growing needs for a better life. The Congress established Xi Jinping’s Thoughts on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as a new component of the Party's guide for action, and rolled out clearly the timetable and road map to build China into a great modern socialist country. The Congress also elected the new Central Leadership of CPC Central Committee. The Congress will have a significant and profound influence not only for China but also for the whole world.
Truly Remarkable Five Years
The five years since the 18th National Congress of CPC have been a truly remarkable five years in the course of the development of the Party and the country. Under the leadership of the Central Committee of CPC with Xi Jinping at its core, we promoted balanced economic, political, cultural, social and ecological progress, advanced coordinated implementation of the Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy of finish building a moderately prosperous society in all aspects, deepening reform, advancing the law-based governance of China, and strengthening Party self-governance and put into practice the vision of innovative, coordinated, green, open and inclusive development. The cause of the Party and the country creates a new situation.
Over the past five years, Chinese economy has grown at a medium-high speed of 7.2% annually, taking the lead in major economies of the world. China’s GDP increased from 54 trillion yuan to 80 trillion yuan, ranking second in the world and contributing more than 30% of global economic growth. Supply-side structural reform has made further headway, bringing a steady improvement in the economic structure. Service industry accounts for half of the national economy, consumption has become the main driving force of economic growth, the gap between urban and rural areas continues to shrink. More than 60 million people have been lifted out of poverty, and the poverty headcount ratio has dropped from 10.2% to below 4%. Employment continues to improve, over 13 million new urban jobs have been created on a yearly basis, which is equivalent to creating 25 new jobs per minute.
Over the past five years, China has vigorously implemented the innovation-driven development strategy and accelerated the shift from old growth drivers to new ones. The government has continued to increase the input in science and technology innovation. In 2016, research and development expenditure reached 1.5677 trillion yuan, increased 52.2% over that of 2012. Major advances have been made in scientific and technological area. China successfully launched the world's first quantum science satellite Mozi and developed the world's first quantum computer. China's first domestic aircraft carrier was commissioned. The Tianzhou-1 space cargo completed refueling on outer space for Tiangong-2 space laboratory. The new generation of jetliner developed independently by China C919 completed its test flight successfully. The world's largest single-caliber aperture spherical telescope Tianyan was commissioned. China takes the lead in global science and technology development.
Over the past five years, China has launched more than 1,500 reform measures, and the reform of decentralization, better management and optimized service has made headway. Departments of the State Council have canceled and devolved more than 40% of the administrative items within their portfolio, further streamlining administration, cutting taxes and reducing burdens. Mass entrepreneurship and innovation prevailed in recent years. 16,000 new enterprises were registered everyday in the first half of this year. Plans such as "Made in China 2025" and "Internet plus" have been effectively implemented, and the pace of transformation of traditional industries has been accelerated. The emerging modes of platform economy, sharing economy and cooperative economy permeated widely, and the new forms of online and offline integration, cross-border e-commerce, intelligent family and intelligent communication are in the ascendant.
In the past five years, the efforts on energy conservation and environmental protection have been strengthened. In 2016, energy and water consumption per unit of GDP declined by 17.9% and 25.3% respectively than that of 2012. Nuclear power, wind power and solar energy have emerged as rising stars of new energy. The ecological short-board has been continuously strengthened. Each year, forest coverage increases by more than 90 million mu and 126 million mu of desertification land are harnessed. The landscape of beautiful China is unfolding.
In the past five years, the building of a cultural power has taken firm steps. The core socialist values and fine traditional Chinese culture are alive in people’s hearts, and the socialism with Chinese characteristics and the Chinese dream are embraced by the people. China’s cultural soft power and the influence of Chinese culture have increased significantly. The Chinese people have greater confidence in our own culture. Public cultural services have been continuously improved, and cultural programs and industries are growing strong.
Socialism with Chinese Characteristics
In recent years, many people in the world have wondered why China's economy has been "unique" against the background of global financial crisis and sluggish recovery. Why has China been able to outshine other countries in addressing global issues facing humanity? This is because socialism with Chinese characteristics is the basic systematic guarantee for development and progress in contemporary China. This is an advanced system with distinct Chinese characteristics, with obvious systematic advantages and strong ability of self-improvement.
The system of socialism with Chinese characteristics combines integrally the strong leadership of CPC and making people master of the country. The party is the key to the success of China. Adhering to the leadership of CPC, playing the core role of CPC’s overall leadership and coordinating are the most essential feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Sticking to the leadership of CPC will provide a stronger guarantee for the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics. We should adhere to the people-oriented principle by respecting the people's principal position, seeking the driving force for development of the people, promoting development by relying on the people, and as a result of development. This will help unleash the creativity and maximum benefits of the people. The socialist system with Chinese characteristics has won the support of the majority people and kept the cause of socialist construction dynamic.
The greatest advantage of socialism with Chinese characteristics is to mobilize resources for important tasks and effectively respond to various risks and challenges. The Chinese constitution stipulates that the state organs of the People's Republic of China adopt the principle of democratic centralism. On the one hand, it guarantees the democratic rights of the people to fully participate in the state’s affairs. On the other hand, it effectively builds the common will of the people and centralizes the exercise of state power. This national systematic framework empowers the party and the government with strong ability to centralize decision-making process, organize, mobilize and coordinate to form the unique institutional advantages of socialism with Chinese characteristics of maximally integrating social resources to accomplish large undertakings, which is conducive to dealing with all kinds of emergencies and crisis. This ensures the long-term stability of the country and the peaceful life of the people.
The system of socialism with Chinese characteristics conforms to the trend of the times and has a strong capability of self-improvement. There is no identical political system in the world, neither is there a universally applicable path for development. The political system and path of development adopted by a country must be adapted to its national conditions and nature. Deng Xiaoping once said, "our system will be improved day by day, it will absorb the progressive factors of various countries and become the best system in the world." The system of socialism with Chinese characteristics is in line with China's national conditions which has a strong inclusiveness and strong learning ability. It can reform the system that does not adapt to the economic and social development and respond to the new challenges brought about by the progress of the times in a timely manner and continuously realize self-improvement.
Building a community with a shared future for mankind.
Over the past five years, China has made all-round efforts in the pursuit of major country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, thus advancing China’s diplomatic agenda in a comprehensive, multilevel and multifaceted way. China has jointly pursued the Belt and Road Initiative, initiated the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank, set up the Silk Road Fund, hosted the first Belt and Road Forum on International Cooperation, the 22nd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, the G20 Summit in Hangzhou , the BRICS Summit in Xiamen, and the Fourth Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia. General Secretary Xi Jinping champions the development of a community with a shared future for mankind and fostering a new type of international relations focusing on win-win cooperation, offering Chinese solutions and wisdom to the reformation and construction of the global governance system and winning a wide echo and positive response from the international community.
The idea of a community of a shared future for mankind originates from the concept of ‘Tianxia’ which traversed through the history of Chinese civilization and has never changed. The thought of Peace is most precious and Peace among countries, the philosophy of Don't do to others what you don't want others to do to you and All within the four seas are brothers, the value of The interests to be considered should be the interests of all, Troubled, improve yourself, valued, improve the world, and the idea of harmony that people share common destiny with other entities, are important genes in Chinese culture. In the new era, Chinese people are committed to realizing the China dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and pursuing the well-being not only for the Chinese people, but also for the people of Africa and other countries in the world.
China and Africa are a close-knit community with a shared future. We view each other's development as our own opportunity and pursue a win-win outcome through cooperation and common development. China is ready to share its experiences in governance with African countries including Ghana, to render assistance for industrialization and economic transformation of Africa and always be reliable friend and true partner to African countries. China supports African countries in finding the development path that conforms to their own national conditions. We never attach political strings, never interfere in the domestic affairs of African countries, never impose our wills upon Africa, never issue any empty check, and resolve the problems arising from bilateral cooperation through negotiation on an equal footing. In conducting cooperation with Africa, China always abides by the guideline featuring sincerity, real results, affinity and good faith as well as the policy of upholding justice and pursuing shared interests. We focus on scaling up the driving force of inner growth of African countries and help them realize sustainable self-development without sacrificing Africa's ecological environment and long-term interests.
The world is undergoing major developments, major changes and major adjustments. In the face of uncertainties and challenges, China will continuously adhere to the road of peaceful development, lead the common development of the world while seeking its own development, push forward the great endeavor of building a community with a shared future for mankind and create more opportunities for global development. The CPC strives for both the wellbeing of the Chinese people and human progress. To make new and greater contributions for mankind is the CPC’s abiding mission. As Confucious says, When the great way prevails, the world is equally shared by all. The Chinese people are willing to work with the Ghanaian people as well as people of other countries to build a community of shared future for mankind and create a better future for mankind.
Attachment: Major Achievements by China in the Past 5 Years from the 18th to the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China
