Planning Ahead

From various speeches and texts by President Xi Jinping, two essential books have been published for those who wish to know and study how China has achieved its incredible development. Volumes I and II of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China also cover what new paths China can follow at this time, which Xi calls the new era.

The books have a rich content, with speeches addressing critical issues in the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

In the first book, key issues are described, which lay the foundation for Chinese governance. In the second, the subjects of the first book are deepened and new themes explored from the global context of the new era.

Both books give ample insight into China’s successful governance. They also inspired me to build a hypothetical model on Chinese governance to better understand this complex issue.

Philosophical and political issues are fundamental in the context of the development of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). However, I will focus on leading management, economic, technological and social issues because in the new era, these factors have immediate worldwide impact.

Before I explain the structure of the model, I would like to explain the reason why it was so important to create this tool. It allows one to visualize and understand how the planning of the largest economy in the world works.

First, this model has technical consistency adaptable to any developing country, regardless of political, ethnic, religious or other unique characteristics.

Second, the main problems of developing countries are always generally the same. However, it is essential to customize the main objectives and action plan according to the characteristics of each country.

Finally, any governance model must not only have well-defined objectives, but also undergo periodic adjustments to its objectives and action plan during application.

In China, this happens through the National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) held every five years, and the annual meetings of the National People’s Congress (NPC), the top legislature of the country, and the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the top political advisory body.

At these meetings, many objectives and action plans change as prior goals give way to new challenges and opportunities. This dynamic is necessary mainly due to the constant changes in the world.

In this current version of my hypothetical model on Chinese governance, some of the deliberations from the sessions of the NPC and the CPPCC National Committee in March 2019 have been taken into account.

Here is the model and some of the objectives and action plans that were determined for implementation.

The structure is divided into the following subjects:

Sovereignty

The highlight is on national defense, whose initial goals are to modernize by 2035 and to transform the Chinese military into world-class forces by 2050.

Reforms and rights

In this major group of subjects, the focus is on tax system reforms, which aim to help hi-tech sectors, encourage entrepreneurship and high employment generating companies.

Regarding ensuring rights, the focus is on the development of housing, healthcare and intellectual property, among others.

Education and culture

Education is on the list of the biggest challenges of the new era because it is essential to raise awareness in the academic world of the importance of working together with the business sector. The job supply and demand generators need to be synchronized.

Culture plays an essential role in spreading the history and the main teachings of a people’s ancestors.

Economy and environment

The economy is the main engine of a country. China’s focus for current development is related to innovation and technology.

Adopting innovation policies can condition the success or failure of countries in the new era. Those that develop sound innovation policies will be the world’s leaders.

Environmental policies will require a serious commitment from all countries. The Chinese Government is focused on sustainable energy development, pollution control and environmental protection development policies.

Diplomatic policy

China’s foreign policy in recent years has developed very skillfully. For each type of country, there is a certain kind of approach to issues and actions.

The Belt and Road Initiative is a fantastic structuring project to encourage cooperation, global economic development and social action.

Institutional norms

During the 70 years of the PRC, the CPC has established various institutional norms, which for years have been adapted according to internal needs and the global context.

Undoubtedly, the fight against corruption in China is a successful world reference.

Finally, Xi’s books are a must-read for anyone who is interested in governance and wants to know how well-designed planning helps a nation to become the most important nation in the world.

The author is president of the Center China-Brazil: Research and Business 

Source: Beijing Review