An Exemplary Leadership

By KIRTAN BHANA

Director of the Diplomatic Society of South Africa

A visitor takes a picture at an exhibition on China’s achievements in Beijing on 11 October

The success of the governance of China raises China’s influence around the world

Leading a Party of more than 96 million members must be a remarkable task for Xi Jinping, who was elected general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee at the 20th National Congress of the CPC in October. The membership of the CPC itself outnumbers the population of many countries.

This congress came shortly after the centenary of the CPC, which was established in 1921 with a goal to achieve a fair distribution of wealth and create an equal society. In the first article of the first chapter of volume IV of his book,Xi Jinping: The Governance of China, which is a speech delivered at the Ceremony Marking the Centenary of the CPC, Xi,who is also President of China, makes reference to the Opium War of 1840,explaining that “China was gradually reduced to a semi-colonial, semi-feudal society and went through a period of suffering worse than it had ever previously known.” It was this condition that sparked a national revival and a series of uprisings, revolutions and reform movements. As Xi noted, since that time,national rejuvenation has been the greatest dream of the Chinese people and the Chinese nation. Marxism and Leninism were introduced to China during the October Revolution in Russia in 1917 and became the guiding philosophy of the CPC at its formation in 1921.

“Since the very day of its founding,the Party has made seeking happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation its aspiration and mission,” Xi said. “All the struggle, sacrifice and creation through which the Party has united and led the Chinese people over the past hundred years have been tied together by one ultimate goal– bringing about the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” History has proven that the CPC has honoured its commitments.

Phenomenal success

Accountability and responsibility in dealing with the challenges faced by the Chinese nation and the Chinese people,even when some decisions seemed not to be popular but were prudent and pragmatic in protecting the people, have led to the extraordinary progress the country has made in all aspects. President Xi has delivered on his commitments of eradicating absolute poverty in the world’s most populous country, and firmly placed the country on the road to common prosperity with characteristics of a modern socialist society. The phenomenal economic growth the country has experienced suggests that there is clear understanding of the workings of socialist market economy and the value of fair and competitive commerce, together with a constant awareness of the dangers of illicit market manipulation, collusion and corrupt business practices, and the negative and destructive impacts these can have on China’s progress.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012 when Xi Jinping was elected general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, average life expectancy in China has reached 78.2 years and per-capita disposable income has more than doubled from $2,500 to around $5,500, with 13 million urban jobs created each year on average.China’s healthcare services have vastly improved, and the country’s response to COVID-19 pandemic was deemed exemplary. It also provided humanitarian assistance to many countries which needed support.

Energy and food security is being ensured as the nation of 1.4 billion people embraces new technological advances through high-quality development in infrastructure and logistics innovation. China has built the world’s largest network of high-speed railways and expressways and world-class ports and shipping industry.

China has become number one in the world in terms of total trade in goods and the top trading partner of more than 140 countries and regions since the introduction of reform and opening-up policy by the late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping in the late 1970s. With an annual growth rate of 6.6 percent in the past decade,China has contributed 38.6 percent to world economic growth, which is larger than that of the G7, the so-called highly industrialised countries of the world.China’s GDP has grown from $8.5 trillion in 2012 to $17.7 trillion in 2021. China’s foreign exchange reserves of $3 trillion are the largest compared with any nation.

The people-centred governance philosophy, the basic tenet of Marxism, is at the core of the CPC and the primary function of the people’s congresses of various levels. “Under this system, all power of the state belongs to the people, the people’s position as masters of the country is protected to the greatest extent,” said President Xi in his address to the Central People’s Congress Work Conference in October 2021.The whole-process people’s democracy entails that the people and the CPC are synonymous. Building self-reliance and having the confidence to break new ground is achieved by drawing on the creativity of the people, who serve as an inexhaustible source of ideas, thoughts and invention. The consistent policy consultation and finding consensus is a prerequisite for formulating good laws for good governance, which reflects the will of the people.

Two farmers pack dried rice grains in a bag in Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture in Guizhou Province on 17 September

Accountability and responsibility in dealing with the challenges faced by the Chinese nation and the Chinese people, even when some decisions seemed not to be popular but were prudent and pragmatic in protecting the people, have led to the extraordinary progress the country has made in all aspects.

Global stature

The 20th CPC National Congress in October this year shifted the world’s focus to Beijing due to its importance to policymakers around the world. New words like Xiconomics and Xiplomacy have been coined in recognition of the Chinese president and his profound leadership. The narratives are fast changing to acknowledge the critical role and significance of China in the international arena. The notion of “the world needs China and China needs the world”reflects the conciliatory and complementary feelings and attitudes towards China and its contribution to the world.

Vehicles for export are lined up at the Port of Qingdao in Shandong Province on 7 August

President Xi’s firm yet sober guidance is receiving recognition as nations and regions make their intentions clear of the direction their foreign policy is taking and look to join and become members of forums where China has a presence. The Belt and Road Initiative, which seeks to connect the world through infrastructure,is gaining momentum. Multilateral groupings like BRICS are receiving requests for expansion, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is also growing in stature, as members seek dynamic, versatile, stable and sustainable relations and cooperation,while questioning the relevance of the outdated Western hegemonic system.

A fifth volume of President Xi’s speeches, writings and thought will be something to look forward to as the modern epoch unfolds and takes humanity on a new journey of discovery and exploration in all aspects. CA