Great Chinese Dream

On modern successes and the new line of the PRC

Without exaggeration, the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, which has ended recently, attracted everyone’s attention. None of the previous all-China forum of the ruling party aroused such heightened interest and so many comments. It is understandable — not only the future path of a huge country, but also the fate of the world largely depends on the decisions taken in Beijing.

Objectives are achieved

First, some criticism of professional Sinologists. Demonstrating a good knowledge of the foundations of the state and the people, they often pay too close attention to details, symbols, even the smallest ones, in a certain sense, even to the aesthetics of what is happening. And this is true, but only partly. After all, the Chinese Communist Party is Marxist. Its ideology and the logic of its decisions are based on this doctrine. However, it is characterised by a deeper analysis of social processes.

Therefore, the amendments to the Party Charter adopted at the congress, personnel reshuffles do not reflect some behind-the-scenes games, but are dictated by the acuteness of the historical moment, the need to adjust the line in the face of new global challenges.

The CPC is leading the country forward in accordance with the ideological guidelines approved by the congresses and plenums of the Central Committee. Xi Jinping assumed the high post of General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee in 2012. Then he made a commitment to ensure national rejuvenation, improve the life of every Chinese, and solve internal party problems. Ten years have passed.

So, here is the result: the country has doubled the size of the economy (it exceeded $16 trillion), the level of average prosperity (xiaokang) for the entire population has been reached, more than 100 million people have been lifted out of extreme poverty, and the back of corruption has been broken. That is, the goals of the first century for the anniversary of the founding of the CPC, which was celebrated in 2020, were fulfilled.

New policy

The course is now set for the second century — the anniversary of the proclamation of the People’s Republic of China in 2049 — to realise the Chinese Dream: to achieve a comprehensive breakthrough in all areas, from technology to culture. Thus, a great national rejuvenation will be brought about. 
As Xi Jinping himself has repeatedly stressed, China has endured centuries of national humiliation. At the same time, it is a great country whose achievements have enriched humanity throughout history. China is proud of its great past, which means it must build an equally grandiose future. The tasks are very ambitious, but, judging by modern successes, they are quite achievable. 
The past decade has brought serious challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic, the trade war with the United States and external pressure on the economy, the attempt to organise a ‘colour revolution’ in Hong Kong, foreign support for separatists, including in Taiwan, all this created threats to China’s development and tested Xi Jinping’s leadership skills and the unity of the party he leads.

An uncompromising fight against foreign influence and corruption was the key to a successful response to the emerging challenges. 

In fact, these are two closely related negative phenomena. Xi Jinping proved by his example that he is a devoted patriot. In all previously held posts, the future General Secretary fought for national interests. 
Now the congress has focused on the development of internal potential. All technological production cycles must be provided by domestic enterprises. Dependence on external suppliers and markets creates opportunities for external pressure attempts. This is openly threatened by American and European politicians. Therefore, the best response to sanctions is to rely on one’s own strength and interaction with true friends.
There is no question of any self-isolation of China. As Aleksandr Lukashenko rightly noted in his congratulations sent to General Secretary Xi Jinping following the results of the National Congress, the PRC, under the leadership of the CPC, is consistently implementing the Belt and Road Initiative in combination with a new concept of international relations — building a ‘community with a shared future for mankind’.

This is a new experience for humanity of embedding planetary co-operation without lateral thinking and imposing ideological dogmas. Communist China in this regard turned out to be much more progressive than the ‘democratic’ Western countries.

The strength of the system

At the 20th National Congress, it was emphasised that China, along with the United States, is responsible for the security of the world. Such an assessment of the situation did not sound very pleasant for our Russian allies. After all, they claim to be at least one of the three poles of the new world order. Well, for Moscow, the words spoken at the 20th National Congress are a reason to consider its geopolitical strategy, as well as about what needs to be done to take its rightful place in the new world.
In personnel matters, there is also consistency and systemacity. The composition of the highest leading bodies of the party has been significantly renewed. But there is no state of emergency here. Of the four new members of the Politburo Standing Committee, all were members of the Politburo of the previous convocation, are longtime associates of the General Secretary, as well as authoritative leaders. Without a doubt, the unity of the party will be strong, and Xi Jinping’s leadership will be indisputable after the 20th National Congress.
“We shall keep in mind the Party's nature and purpose, our own mission and responsibility and work diligently in the performance of our duty to prove worthy of the great trust of the Party and our people,” Xi Jinping said last Sunday as he introduced the new Politburo Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee during a meeting with reporters after the 1st Plenum of the 20th CPC Central Committee, where he was elected General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee. 

However, the decisions of the National Congress are already being implemented. This is clearly seen in the struggle for the reunification of China and the strengthening of defence capabilities. Just look at the uncompromising rhetoric of the Taiwan Affairs Office under the State Council of the People’s Republic of China. It is also worth paying attention to the defence budget or the announced programme for the upcoming military exercises and measures to improve the PLA.

In Soviet times, there was such a definition in the press — ‘the historical results of the congress’. In the case of the 20th National Congress of the CCP, they do not sound like a hackneyed cliche, but like the most successful assessment. We have yet to reflect on all the decisions that have been made. But one thing is certain: they will have a significant impact on world politics. It is important for Belarus that one of our two strategic allies has shown the strength of its political system, and most of the declared principles are consonant with what is now being carried out in our country during the transformation of our development model.


By Ph.D. in History Vadim Gigin