China's national flags are hung above a street in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, Oct 1, 2022. (PHOTO / XINHUA)
Chinese leaders’ determination to press ahead self-imposed reforms to realize national rejuvenation on own path of modernization could offer inspiration to other countries when it comes to carving their own destinies, according to analysts and observers.
Xi Jinping, general-secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, told the media at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Oct 23, that China “is embarking on a long journey” and that “we should always press forward with self-imposed reforms”.
This self-reform policy requires tremendous political will, many sacrifices and high-level wisdom from the leaders of China, and we from the other countries of the world should draw inspiration and valuable lessons from this policy of self-reform … Self-reform is an important key to the enduring success and continuing relevance of the party in the destiny of China in today's fast-changing, complex and often uncertain global environment.
Henry Lim Bon Liong, president of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc, or FFCCCII in the Philippines
A political party can only achieve lasting greatness if it remains committed to its original aspiration despite the many hardships it has gone through, said Xi. “It can only become invincible if it remains committed to self-reform even though it has had a glorious past.”
We must remain on high alert and stay sober-minded and prudent, like a student sitting for a never-ending exam. We must not halt our steps in exercising full and rigorous intraparty governance, he said.
Henry Lim Bon Liong, president of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc, or FFCCCII in the Philippines, told China Daily that “this courageous, humble and realistic policy” of Xi ensures long-term stability and sustainability of China’s socio-economic reforms and modernization.
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“This self-reform policy requires tremendous political will, many sacrifices and high-level wisdom from the leaders of China, and we from the other countries of the world should draw inspiration and valuable lessons from this policy of self-reform,” Lim told China Daily.
“Self-reform is an important key to the enduring success and continuing relevance of the party in the destiny of China in today's fast-changing, complex and often uncertain global environment,” he added.
Lim noted that as the world is now “suffering from so many tragic conflicts, complex misunderstandings and discord”, the FFCCCII “commends this enlightened vision for the future path of China and the world” and called it “reassuring”.
“This vision reminds us that a win-win vision of China for common prosperity and peace should also be our common aspiration for all countries,” said Lim.
Kamaruzaman Bin Yusoff, a Middle East analyst and former dean of the Faculty of Islamic Civilization at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, noted that at a time where Western civilization has been “degrading due to their way of thinking”, citing materialism, individualism and humanism, China can impart its good governance and way of life.
“They will be able to bring about so many positive ways of thinking (to) the world,” Yusoff told China Daily.
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He said there has been a reform in the socialist thinking or ideology. “I believe that China, as part of the economic giant at this particular time, will be able, not only to bring about prosperity to the Chinese people but will be able to bring about peace and harmony to teach the whole world how good is nature or how good is the sum of the teachings of Confucianism.”
A man takes photos of the decoration set up for the ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing, July 3, 2021. (PHOTO / XINHUA)
Kamaruzaman Bin Yusoff, a Middle East analyst and former dean of the Faculty of Islamic Civilization at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, noted that at a time where Western civilization has been “degrading due to their way of thinking”, citing materialism, individualism and humanism, China can impart its good governance and way of life
According to Xinhua, Xi also told the media, “We must make sure that our century-old party, the biggest in the world, will become ever more vigorous through self-reform and can continue to be the strong backbone that the Chinese people can lean on at all times.”
On the journey ahead, the leadership should always act for the people and “rely on them in everything that we do”. To date, he said, they have secured one tremendous achievement after another “by relying closely on our people” and pledged to continue relying on the citizens in creating new, historic achievements.
Sujoko Efferin, a professor at the Faculty of Business and Economics at Universitas Surabaya in Indonesia, noted that the leadership of China has led the nation in eradicating absolute poverty for a population of 1.4 billion people, hailing the achievement as “extraordinary and deserves best appreciation”.
“The key is the unity of all ethnic groups in China to work together harmoniously under the sound development planning and strategies of the government. The world needs to draw a lesson from this achievement that under current turbulent situation, we need both the strong leadership and synergies of our people,” Efferin told China Daily.
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Secondly, he said, China’s leadership has revealed the importance of building a modern nation without abandoning their history and cultures. The national wisdom, he said, must “be a compass to make priorities and decisions on critical situations”.
The key is the unity of all ethnic groups in China to work together harmoniously under the sound development planning and strategies of the government. The world needs to draw a lesson from this achievement that under current turbulent situation, we need both the strong leadership and synergies of our people.
Sujoko Efferin, professor at the Faculty of Business and Economics at Universitas Surabaya in Indonesia
“However, national wisdom is not static. It is dynamic and requires proactive adaptation to global changes. No country in the world can survive without rejuvenating their development paradigms and global strategies. I believe that China’s rejuvenation is made stronger due to their commitment to do the best for their people without ignoring the needs of global communities,” said Efferin.
In his media address, Xi vowed to work with “peoples of all other countries to champion humanity's shared values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy, and freedom to promote global peace and prosperity, and to keep pursuing a shared future for the human community”.
“Just as China cannot develop in isolation from the world, the world needs China for its development. Through over 40 years of relentless reform and opening up, we have created the twin miracles of fast economic growth and long-term social stability,” Xi said.
“The Chinese economy has great resilience, potential and latitude. Its strong fundamentals will not change. And it will remain on a positive trajectory over the long run,” he said.
Firas Hassan, editor at Emirates News Agency, told China Daily that he was “very impressed” by the statements that promote peace and development in the world and the promotion of the creation of a human community of shared future.
Members of the eighth Chinese peacekeeping infantry battalion sent to South Sudan attend a medal ceremony of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan in Juba on Sept 30, 2022. (SUN XUESONG / XINHUA)
Firas Hassan, editor at Emirates News Agency, told China Daily that he was “very impressed” by the statements that promote peace and development in the world and the promotion of the creation of a human community of shared future
He noted that China is committed to world peace and has consistently pursued its foreign policy of independence and peace in world affairs, as well as consistently defined its position and formulated its foreign policy based on its own merits.
It has defended fundamental rules of international relations and upheld international justice and equity, said Hassan, who is also a China affairs enthusiast and a translator.
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“China's modernization proposal has realistic meaning. It has the characteristics of modernization in different countries, and it also has Chinese features. It has implications for the development of the world,” he added.
Xi also said China “will open its door ever wider” and will be steadfast in deepening reform and opening up across the board and in pursuing high-quality development.
“Thank you very much to China for standing up for this win-win perspective of a common destiny for all mankind,” said Lim of the FFCCCII. “A more prosperous China will provide more opportunities to the world,” he added.
jan@chinadailyapac.com