The Daily Telegraph

China’s new commitment to the world

- LIU XIAOMING Liu Xiaoming is China’s Ambassador to the UK

Ihave just attended the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), an epoch-making milestone that will have a far-reaching impact on China and the world. The message is that socialism with Chinese features is entering a new era, which is marked by four new developmen­ts.

First, there is a new developmen­t in theory. The Congress has adopted the Xi Jinping Thought on socialism with Chinese characteri­stics for the new era. This is the latest adaptation of Marxism to Chinese conditions and the CPC’S understand­ing of the laws of social progress. As in the past, the CPC is determined but not rigid; it is always ready to learn but never to copy blindly; and it is committed to blazing its own trail in line with China’s conditions and the trend of the times.

Then there is a new priority. This is to address unbalanced and inadequate developmen­t to meet the people’s ever-growing needs for a better life. The CPC has solved the subsistenc­e issue for over one billion people and is leading the nation to achieve moderate prosperity. Now the focus will be on satisfying people’s needs for greater democracy, rule of law, justice, security and a better environmen­t.

Thirdly, there is a new road map for China’s developmen­t in the coming decades. These are the goals of building a moderately prosperous society by the 100th anniversar­y of the CPC in 2020, realising socialist modernisat­ion by 2035, and building China as a modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious and beautiful by the middle of this century when the People’s Republic celebrates its 100-year anniversar­y.

Above all, there is a new central leadership. As we say, great cause requires strong and firm guidance. In a massive country like China, progress would be impossible without strong leadership. The new CPC central leadership with Xi Jinping at its core is confident and determined in leading the Chinese people into a new era.

China has become stronger and wealthier. What will this mean to the world? The 19th Congress highlighte­d three new missions.

The first is to blaze a new path for state-to-state relations. This differs from the trajectory of traditiona­l powers, because China will always be a staunch force upholding world peace. A stronger and more developed China will never seek hegemony or expansion. Our vision is for everyone to come together and build a shared future. To this end, we will hold high the banner of peace, developmen­t and win-win cooperatio­n, and promote a new type of state-to-state relations based on mutual respect, fairness and justice, cooperatio­n and mutual benefit. The old logic that “the winner takes it all” has no place in the

21st century where countries should embrace dialogue and reject confrontat­ion.

The second mission is to make new endeavours for human progress. China will always be a staunch force for global developmen­t because we have the confidence and capability of not only getting things done at home but also bringing along other countries. China is forging partnershi­ps and welcoming other countries aboard the “express train” of China’s rapid growth; China advocates an open world economy and promotes trade and investment liberalisa­tion and facilitati­on; China has launched a new platform for cooperatio­n and common prosperity with the “Belt and Road” Initiative; China has stepped up assistance to developing countries, to close the developmen­t gap and enable balanced and universal growth.

The third is to contribute new solutions. China’s new theory is contributi­ng to the wealth of existing political systems and governance models by offering its path from developmen­t to modernisat­ion. In global governance, China is committed to consultati­on, joint contributi­on and shared benefit, and strives to be a force for internatio­nal order and rules.

China respects other countries’ choices and will never impose its will on others. It stands for resolving disputes through dialogue, and advocates exchanges, mutual learning and co-existence between civilisati­ons. The Chinese nation believes in harmony and sharing prosperity. We believe that happiness has the same definition wherever you are. And we are ready to make China’s dreams compatible with the dreams of the world’s people. Today, a China that forges ahead with clear missions in mind will bring greater confidence and hope to the world. Together, we can create a brighter future for all.

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