By Sun Yeli
A review of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China
What are the governing ideas of China's new leadership? In which direction is China heading? Will China continue its reform and opening-up policy? What is the basis of China's foreign policy? Many people hope to find answers to these questions.
Answers can be found in the new book The Governance of China by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party and president of China. The book contains 79 of his speeches in 18 chapters, together with 45 photos about his work and personal life. The book sheds light on the approach of the new leadership to the governance of China.
Consensus with the Chinese Dream
Xi proposed the Chinese Dream of the rejuvenation of Chinese nation when visiting "The Road to Rejuvenation" exhibition at the National Museum of China.
Due to profound changes in the country's economic and social life and the evolution in the public mindset, people from different regions, social strata, and fields of endeavor naturally do not think alike. Discord could undermine development, and therefore the consensus is a pressing need.
To find consensus, the most important is to identify the common goal. Since the 1840s, the Chinese people have successively striven towards and made sacrifices for one goal – the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. This dream resonates in every Chinese heart and becomes the common aspiration of all the Chinese in and outside the country.
The Chinese Dream, says Xi, in essence means prosperity for the country, rejuvenation of the nation, and happiness for the people. It is the dream of the country, of the nation, and of every Chinese, because it brings together the interests of the nation and of individual citizens.
The Chinese Road with Confidence
The book demonstrates Xi's strong confidence in socialism with Chinese characteristics, even more impressive than the self-confidence he displays as an individual. He stresses that we should be fully confident in the path, the theory, and the system of Chinese socialism.
Xi has a famous saying that "only the wearer of the shoes knows if they fit, and only the people can best tell if the development path they have chosen for their country suits." He believes that unique cultural traditions, historical experience, and national conditions determine that the Chinese must take a development path that suits their own characteristics.
Reform Is a Bridge to Our Dreams
The book presents Xi's overall vision of reform, and the particularities of how reform will impact on China's economy, politics, culture, society, ecology and national defense. China finds itself confronted by a series of conflicts and challenges, such as unbalanced and unsustainable development, drawbacks in scientific and technological innovation, a sub-optimal industrial structure and an extensive development model, rising social conflict, gaps between rural and urban development and income, and rampant corruption. If these problems are not solved, China's development will be hampered, and the Chinese Dream will remain elusive.
Xi emphatically makes the point that deeper reform and opening up is the only way to solve development problems. "Reform and opening up is always ongoing and will never end."
Changing Work Conducts and Combating Corruption
Seven articles present Xi's thinking and policy measures on improving work conducts and combating corruption. The new central leadership, committed to a policy of zero-tolerance with regard to corruption, is firm in its detemination to catch "tigers" and "flies" – high-ranking officials guilty of corruption as well as petty ones. Dozens of corrupt officials at ministerial level or above have already fallen from power, and serious cases are under investigation. Clearly committed to combating corruption with "combined blows," Xi has also vowed to have "power being ‘caged' by the system," stressing the construction of a system to restrict the exercise of power and subject it to public scrutiny.
Responsible, Pragmatic and Credible Party and Government
"I will govern by serving the people and fulfilling the responsibilities imposed on me." Xi believes that to be responsible means to adhere to principles with a sense of responsibility and to have the courage to take resolute action when confronted by major issues of principle, to tackle difficulties head-on and never to shy away from conflict, to face all kinds of crises, to admit one's part in mistakes, and to resolutely fight against misconduct.
Xi stresses that officials should have a sound understanding of political achievements and be realistic and far sighted, laying solid foundations rather than seeking quick wins.
Stable Progress with Faith and Determination
"Faith and determination" also feature among Xi's favorite terms. In this book, he applies the terms mainly to political faith and strategic determination.
Political faith refers to firm beliefs, and strategic determination has various forms of expressionm, according to Xi. China's economy is facing substantial downward pressure. The new central leadership has maintained stable growth, keeping employment above a bottom line and inflation below an upper ceiling. Now it will focus on structural adjustment and maintain a stable macro policy.
A Community of Common Destiny and Win-Win Relationships
Many articles of the book address Xi's ideas on diplomacy and international relations. He has stressed on a number of occasions that we live in a global village, and should be conscious of our common destiny. He thinks that zero-sum thinking is outdated, and that we must blaze a new trail of win-win cooperation.
Speaking of China's relations with other countries, Xi highlights these principles through four words: "friendship, sincerity, reciprocity and inclusiveness" – the path of China's peaceful development.
The new central leadership has been creative in developing new diplomatic ideas, and in response it has won the approval of the international community.
The book presents a wide range of novel ideas and strategies which merit careful study. In it, you are likely to find many valuable clues to China's future.
The author is a research fellow with the Party Literature Research Office of the CPC Central Committee.
