A Historic and Epoch-Making Event

There is no doubt that the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) is a momentous and historic event. As General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping pointed out, the past five years have been momentous, in which China achieved extraordinary results thanks to the persistence of its national rejuvenation strategy amid great and profound challenges.

Comprehensive and detailed

The report presented by Xi to the congress is comprehensive and detailed, and does not leave out any relevant topic. In addition to reviewing the main achievements and results of the last five years, among which are undoubtedly the celebration of the centenary of the CPC and the approval and implementation of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), it specifies the main priorities of the CPC toward the full realization of its Second Centenary Goal of transforming China into a modern socialist country by the 100th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China in 2049 and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

It highlights that the common denominator of what has been achieved in this last decade has been the effective leadership of the Party and its policies that have allowed tangible results to be achieved, always for the benefit of the people. The efforts of the CPC to carefully and pragmatically analyze the moments of greatest uncertainty and to turn great challenges into opportunities are admirable.

The report reflects such epic victories as finishing building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and the eradication of extreme poverty; the application of the new development philosophy on all fronts, aimed at promoting high-quality development and creating a new pattern of development; the continuation of reform at a rapid and steady pace, with solid progress in the development of people’s democracy and law-based governance; and the active development of advanced socialist culture, the comprehensive strengthening of national security and the significant improvement of public wellbeing.

The relevance of this congress lies in the fact that it outlined the main political, economic and social guidelines of the country for the next five years and beyond, that is, a period that will undoubtedly become key for transforming China into a modern socialist country.

As is well stated in the report, China faces great opportunities in its new stage of development, but also risks, challenges and problems that are even more complex and complicated to solve. For this reason, the discussions and analyses that were carried out in the congress guarantee this important unity of action and cohesion around the Party, to achieve greater success.

Toward common prosperity

The report emphasizes common prosperity, referring to alleviating poverty, reducing inequality, preventing the uncontrolled expansion of capital and ensuring that all Chinese citizens benefit from the growing economic strength of the country.

The announcements made on the issues of housing and population aging, as well as the commitment to continuing improving the public health system and strengthening it even more so that it responds more efficiently to epidemics and infectious diseases, are very important.

Equally interesting are the references to education, science and technology, and human resources as the foundational and strategic pillars for the country’s development. The statement that “we must regard science and technology as our primary productive force, talent as our primary resource and innovation as our primary driver of growth” is highly relevant in the very aspiration to make China an innovative and self-sufficient country in technology, especially in the face of U.S. competition and blockade.

Xi’s references to Chinese socialist modernization and its unique characteristics are also relevant, making it clear that even though it contains elements common to the modernization processes of all countries, it defines itself by characteristics that are unique to the Chinese context. As Xi pointed out, it is about the modernization of “a huge population,” “common prosperity for all,” “material and cultural-ethical advancement,” “harmony between humanity and nature,” and “peaceful development.”

Similarly, the text reiterates China’s commitment to climate and biodiversity, in this case peaking carbon emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality before 2060.

Worldwide significance

This congress was also an excellent opportunity to promote China’s vision of a community with a shared future for humanity.

The report confirms that China will not only continue to pursue a foreign policy based on peace, development and mutually beneficial cooperation, but also will continue to resolutely oppose all forms of hegemony, power politics and Cold War mentality, interference in other countries’ internal affairs, and double standards.

It reiterates that China will not engage in any kind of expansionism and will remain committed to adhering to economic globalization and adding a new impetus for global development together with other countries.

The document also points out that China has always been committed to upholding world peace and promoting common development. Undoubtedly, China has made enormous contributions to the reform and development of the global governance system and, above all, to safeguard the international system with the UN at its core, the international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.

The influence of the CPC and its 20th National Congress on the growth of China as an emerging power at the international level is irrefutable, which today constitutes a benchmark among developing countries, for progressive movements to promote the achievement of a new, more democratic and just world order, the strengthening of mutually beneficial cooperation, and the achievement of development and the social wellbeing of the people.

Cuba attaches great importance to—and follows with special attention—this CPC congress. Xi’s report contains very valuable experiences in the development of socialism.

Cuba and China will continue to be good friends, comrades and brothers. It is expected that, after the 20th CPC National Congress, we will continue to strengthen political dialogue and strategic communication at the highest level, which will boost bilateral relations, produce new consensus and help strengthen the bonds of friendship between the two peoples.

The author is the Cuban ambassador to China.