20th CPC National Congress: New journey of Chinese modernization

Humanity is currently experiencing a once-in-a-century level of uncertainty as a result of factors like the current global economic recession, conflicts, polarization, COVID-19, and climate change. We now have a better understanding of how China, the second-largest economy in the world, will respond to all of these challenges. At the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), it not only evaluated the past, but also determined the roadmap for the future.

Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, summarized the Party’s three main achievements of the past 10 years: "We embraced the centenary of the Communist Party of China, we ushered in a new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and we eradicated absolute poverty and finished building a moderately prosperous society in all respects." China's fight against poverty also contributed to the UN's poverty reduction program. These miraculous achievements and breakthroughs are a source of inspiration for developing countries all over the world.

Aerial photo taken on Sept. 17, 2020 shows the Houhai area in Nanshan District of Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua)

China's growth over the past 10 years has had an impact on both the common people and the world economy. China's GDP had grown from 54 trillion yuan in 2012 to 114 trillion yuan (about $16 trillion) in 2021, accounting for 18.5 percent of the world economy. China has remained the second-largest economy in the world. China is now the engine of the global economy. The global economy expands as a result of China's progress.

CPC AND RESPONSIBLE POWER MISSION

While improving the standards of living for its citizens, China was also strengthening its sovereignty throughout this time. When the patriots came to power in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, a clear message was sent to the separatists in Taiwan.

The CPC has strengthened its mission of being a "responsible power" in international affairs over the past 10 years. China opposes Cold War mentality by promoting win-win collaboration and the idea of "community with a shared future for mankind" while adhering to the five principles of peaceful coexistence. However, the CPC makes a special effort to make the international system democratic and pluralistic, with the UN at its core. Over the past 10 years, China has contributed to global governance through the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Development Initiative.

CPC IN THE NEW ERA  

The CPC has accomplished its First Centenary Goal by eradicating absolute poverty and establishing a moderately prosperous society. The next task, which the CPC describes as the Second Centenary Goal, is to build a modern socialist country in all respects. Xi Jinping stressed that the goal is to essentially realize socialist modernization between 2020-2035 and make China "a prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious and beautiful modern socialist country" from 2035 to 2049.

To succeed on its historical path, the CPC needs strong leadership and a clear understanding of its goals. The CPC adopted the changes to the Party Constitution at its 20th National Congress in an effort to provide better leadership in the new era. With the incorporation of the new developments in Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era into the CPC Constitution, the Party will better understand the requirements of the new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

The CPC should remember its founding principles as well, having interpreted Marxist works in accordance with the spirit of the times and Chinese conditions. CPC members facing particular difficulties will feel more confident as a result of the inclusion of the Party's founding mission, important achievements and historical experience in its constitution.

Its constitutional revisions are evidence that the CPC truly views reform as an endless journey. The CPC played a decisive role in China's rapid development. It is a great achievement to develop a strong leadership in such a country of large territory, population, and diverse cultures. The CPC united the people towards common goals. The most distinctive characteristic of the CPC is that, despite being a very crowded organization, it is never clumsy. The CPC quickly adapts to changing conditions and reacts instantly.

COMMON PROSPERITY AND HARMONIOUS SOCIETY

With the 19th Central Committee report endorsed by the 20th National Congress of the CPC, the route of the CPC's strong leadership and understanding became evident. The CPC's attempts to create an innovative, high-quality, and environmentally responsible economic development model over the next five years will be accelerated by this. The socialist market economy model has the domestic market at its core, but it also emphasizes win-win collaboration, such as through free trade agreements with other nations.

It should not be assumed that China's "dual circulation" model will put an end to its reform and opening-up policy. On the other hand, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on supply chains and the escalating trend of anti-globalization in trade bring the need for adjustment.

One of the ultimate goals of China's new development model is to empower the "common prosperity" policy. The CPC will use various ways to adjust income distribution while the system of equal pay for equal effort is maintained. Thus, while China's growth rate will directly affect the welfare of its citizens, the society will become more harmonious with the elimination of the income gap. To achieve the goal of building a modern socialist country, the "common prosperity" approach might be summed up as "splitting the cake by growing it."

Technology plays a critical role in China's quality development. The report to the 20th CPC National Congress said that China has accelerated efforts to build its self-reliance and strength in science and technology. Building a "self-reliant" science and technology ecosystem is now essential for not only China, but also for other countries.

CHINA AND THE WORLD IN THE NEW ERA

At the CPC's 20th National Congress, foreign policy was given significant consideration because Chinese modernization cannot be divorced from global modernization. For emerging economies like Türkiye, the appeal for democratization of the international order made by Chinese President Xi Jinping is of utmost significance. He has long opposed hegemony, power politics, and the Cold War.

In the report to the 20th CPC National Congress, it is also possible to see what kind of international order China desires in the upcoming period. In contrast to alliances which would lead to polarization, China will emphasize cooperation mechanisms that will support the community with a shared future for mankind. In this context, it would not be unexpected if China advances the Global Security and Development Initiatives and the Belt and Road Initiative, which were noted as the largest historical collaborations.

Contributed by Tunç Akkoç，Editor-in-Chief of Harici, Türkiye