A Decade of the Chinese Dream

One can’t discuss China’s last 10 years of achievement without drawing attention to the people-centric focus of the Communist Party of China (CPC). This people-centric focus has prioritized the interests of society at large, reducing uneven development and cutting inequality in the distribution of wealth. China’s journey to becoming the world’s second-largest economy has never been an easy one. For example, in 2021, China declared it had eliminated absolute poverty by lifting nearly 100 million people out of poverty in eight years until 2020. This is a great example of the Party’s people-centric focus; they never tire of delivering benefits to every single household, no matter how remote, to ensure no family is left behind.

The second point is making people around China feel that they do have a dream, a dream that is achievable, namely the Chinese dream. The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is the greatest Chinese dream—and it is not in the eyes but in the hearts of the 56 ethnic groups across China. The CPC is working as a lighthouse to guide the people toward the Chinese dream that has helped them to stand up, thus becoming stronger and more prosperous.

To me, the most important change that took place during the last 10 years was the achievement of a moderately prosperous society making the people feel that they have made a new leap in national rejuvenation from a country once looted and humiliated by foreign imperialists. Without a great system of governance and visionary leadership, it would have been impossible. On the other hand, this system of governance provides a good example for countries in post-pandemic turmoil, as they can take it as a reference when addressing their own challenges.

The public health sector is another area of great advances over the past decade. During the last couple of years, we have watched how vulnerable Western public health sectors have been. But in China’s case, it left no stone unturned to ensure safety and economic development at the same time. Here, people’s health has been made a policy priority.

Ensuring a cleaner environment for its citizens is another success in this regard. I still remember the hazy skies I saw during my train journey through industrial cities 10-15 years ago. But now, when I get onto those high-speed trains, it is a pleasure to see white clouds, blue sky and, of course, the many, many trees. China ranks first globally in the area of afforestation and forest coverage growth, contributing a quarter of the world’s new forest area in the past 10 years.

Over this time, China has been phasing out coal heating in over 27 million rural households, while increasing its installed renewable energy capacity. China is now No.1 in its installed capacities of wind, photovoltaic, hydro and biomass power. Institutional innovation has also been achieved to protect the ecosystem. Thanks to its green drive, China has cut its carbon emission intensity by 34.4 percent over the past decade.

Another very important success, that has been achieved globally, is the Belt and Road Initiative, which has won positive responses from more than 170 countries and international organizations. The initiative offers a path of solidarity for global partnership and is a global public good that practices true multilateralism, where everyone can discuss together, build together, and share together. China’s success in the Belt and Road Initiative on the other hand reflects how most countries recognize and are willing to know more about Chinese wisdom and use it in their own development as an example of a worldwide community with a shared future for humanity.

As we experience changes unseen in a century, Western countries seem incapable of offering workable solutions. China’s global leadership on issues like climate, health and security are among the reasons the Global Development Initiative has been so warmly welcomed by a great number of nations within a very short period of time. This is also a welcoming salute to Chinese wisdom from the world community.

The author is executive director of Cross Cultural Communication & Belt and Road Initiative Research Center of the School of Marxism, Wuhan University of Technology, and the first foreigner to be awarded the May 4th Gold Medal in 2006.