A COMENTARY BY CHINESE AMBASSADOR TO LIBERIA YIN
Monrovia, Liberia – Not long ago, the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) was held in Beijing. The Plenum adopted the Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Further Deepening Reform Comprehensively to Advance Chinese Modernization (hereinafter “Resolution”). It was stated that the overall objectives of further deepening reform comprehensively are to continue improving and developing the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics and modernize China’s system and capacity for governance.
By 2035, China will have finished building a high-standard socialist market economy in all respects, further improved the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, generally modernized our system and capacity for governance, and basically realized socialist modernization. All of this will lay a solid foundation for building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects by the middle of this century.
The Resolution proposed more than 300 major reform measures, with the clear goal of fully implementing them by the 80th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 2029. The Plenum is a milestone, which sent a strong signal of China’s unwavering commitment to upholding the banner of reform and opening up and pushing forward with Chinese modernization. This is a blessing for the world.
Chinese modernization will bring more opportunities to the world. The Resolution states that opening up is a defining feature of Chinese modernization. Over the past 40 years, China’s opening up has not only promoted domestic reform, development and stability, but also facilitated the common development of other countries.
China’s GDP has grown from US$200 billion in 1978 to US$17.9 trillion in 2023, and for several years, China’s economy has contributed more than 30% to global economic growth. By 2022, Chinese investors had established 47,000 companies in 190 countries and regions, generating US$75 billion in annual tax revenue. Between now and 2030, China’s import from fellow developing countries is expected to exceed US$8 trillion. Research by the International Monetary Fund shows that for every 1% growth in China’s economy, industries in other economies grow by an average of 0.3%. Chinese modernization brings vast market opportunities, investment opportunities and growth opportunities for all countries.
Chinese modernization will bring more governance experience to the world. Achieving the modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity is an integral aspect of Chinese modernization. China has advanced reform with a people-centered approach, and Chinese modernization clearly embodies Chinese characteristics.
Over the 75 years since its founding, the People’s Republic of China has made remarkable achievements in its modernization. For example, China has lifted 98.99 million rural people out of poverty and built the world’s largest education, social security and medical systems. China adheres to the principle of sincerity, real results, affinity and good faith, sharing development experience and helping African countries explore their own paths to industrialization.
Chinese modernization has accumulated successful experience for developing countries in choosing their own ways and systems and continuously promoting modernization, and has brought China’s wisdom and China’s solution to the world.
Chinese modernization will be more conducive to world peace. The Resolution points out that Chinese modernization is the modernization of peaceful development. China remains firmly committed to pursuing an independent foreign policy of peace. Focusing on the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind, President Xi Jinping has proposed the “Three Global Initiatives”: the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative, which emphasize a people-centered approach to global development; a comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable approach to global security; and the promotion of a global civilization characterized by equality, mutual learning, dialogue and inclusiveness.
These initiatives link Chinese modernization with the world, thereby promoting peaceful cooperation, universal security and common prosperity. As a responsible major country and a key member of the Global South, China actively participates in addressing international and regional hot spot issues, such as the Ukraine crisis and issues in the Middle East. China has promoted political solutions to the Ukraine crisis, helped restore relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, facilitated internal reconciliation in Palestine, and provided public goods to the international community. The success of Chinese modernization will undoubtedly bring positive factors to world peace, stability and security.
The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of CPC has ushered in a new phase of China’s reform. At this historic juncture, the 1.4 billion Chinese people are determined to forge ahead with determination and further deepen reform to open up broad prospects for Chinese modernization.
China is a reliable friend and partner of Liberia. China is willing to strengthen exchanges with Liberia on governance and align the ARREST agenda with China’s development strategies, and work together to advance the modernization for the benefit of the Liberian and Chinese people.