A Rare Opportunity to Understand Contemporary China – Xi Jinping: The Governance of China
By CAI MINGZHAO
In less than two years since Xi Jinping became China’s top leader, he has taken the nation on a new journey of reform, opening-up and modernization.
Now, for the first time, a book entitled Xi Jinping: The Governance of China, collecting some 80 of his speeches, has been released in multi-language editions including English. The book presents comprehensive and systematic answers to major problems that China has encountered and serves as a unique opportunity for the international community to understand the country.
In fact, the book deals not only with Chinese matters, but with the world at large. Readers will gain a clear picture of the concepts and strategies of China’s new leadership, feel the drastic changes in China, and come to see its people’s dreams and pursuits. More importantly, people outside China will be able to understand where China has come from, in which direction the country is going, and what it means for them.
Soon after taking office, Xi declared that the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics China has embarked on “is the only way to foster our country’s development and stability and create a better life for our people.” He admits that “It will not be an easy path.”
Today, China’s economy ranks second in the world. Meanwhile, the country remains the largest developing country with its per capita GDP at about 80th globally, evidencing that its development is not well balanced, coordinated or sustainable.
The Chinese leadership has introduced innovative concepts and measures to ensure more encouraging prospects for development.
Xi has announced the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation. According to him, the essence of the Chinese Dream is to make the country prosperous and strong, rejuvenate the nation, and enable the people to lead happy lives. In the age of globalization, the Chinese Dream is connected to the dreams of people of other countries and will benefit not only the people of China, but people of other countries.
In pursuing reform, China has entered deep waters and faces tough challenges. The book also documents the courage and wisdom that Xi and his colleagues have demonstrated in overcoming difficulties. Xi stresses that reform and opening-up plays the decisive role in determining the destiny of China. He vows to confront challenges head-on and to dare to sail the rapids towards advanced reform.
Last year, China produced a bold reform plan, timetable and roadmap, covering 15 sectors and involving 330 reform measures. Xi’s revelation of the objectives, tasks and methods for comprehensive and deeper reform allows readers to see the difficulties and complexities of the current reform.
Much of the determination Xi has shown in tackling problems can be explained by his personal background. As a young man, he experienced the hardships of a rural life of hunger and privations, and worked at a number of jobs before becoming China’s president. His experience has enhanced his understanding of national conditions and people’s expectations.
He declares, “The people’s wish of better lives is our goal.” “To put it briefly, I will govern by serving the people and fulfilling the responsibilities imposed on me.”
The book documents Xi’s visits to poverty-stricken areas, where he heard local opinions, pinpointed the people’s needs and emphasized the importance of promoting social fairness and justice.
He has demonstrated commitment to better involving the general public in every step of the process of governance. One of the first things his administration did was to implement an eight-point code of conduct to fight corruption, improve official performance and maintain closer ties with the people.
In recent decades, China has drastically improved in its overall national strength and international standing. Not surprisingly, many outside China hold an increasingly complicated attitude toward the country’s growth.
The book devotes five chapters to address these concerns. Xi stresses that commitment to the path of peaceful development is China’s strategic choice, and that such policy is not an act of expediency or empty diplomatic talk. Rather, it is a conclusion drawn from objective assessment of China’s history, present situation and future prospects. Since it benefits both China and the world, there is no reason why China should not continue on such a path.
He elaborates in his book on such concepts as “a community of shared destiny,” “a new model of major-country relationship,” and “friendship, sincerity, reciprocity and inclusiveness.”
Xi is an excellent storyteller. His unique cultural background and rich life experience contribute to a simple, natural and vivid style of communication. He says “only the wearer of the shoes knows if they fit or not” to illustrate that only the people can tell if the path they are on is suitable or not. In fighting corruption, he speaks of catching “flies” as well as “tigers” to convey his lack of tolerance for illegal conduct. While in Brussels, he mentioned that “Chinese people are fond of tea, and Belgians love beer,” to illustrate concepts of inclusiveness and mutual learning between different civilizations.
CAI MINGZHAO is minister of China’s State Council Information Office.
