Ambassador Tan Jian Publishes Article Titled Better China, Better World
-Understanding China Better through the 20th CPC National Congress on Diplomat Magazine
On December 14th, Chinese Ambassador to the Netherlands Mr. Tan Jian publishes an article titled Better China, Better World-Understanding China Better through the 20th CPC National Congress on Diplomat Magazine. The full text is as follows:
As the most populous country and the second biggest economy in the world, China is moving forward like a giant ship. To understand where this ship is heading, one may ask the captain at the helm, the governing party of China.
In mid-October, the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China has come to a successful conclusion in Beijing. This Congress, once in every 5 years, was held at a critical time when the world is changing in ways like never before. It is therefore of special significance and has attracted worldwide attention.
The most important outcomes of the Congress include the election of a new central leadership with Xi Jinping as the General Secretary, and the adoption of the Report delivered by Xi Jinping. Here are some highlights.
China in the past decade: Great changes
The Congress has summarized the progress in 16 aspects over the past ten years, with many historical achievements.
On economic development, China’s GDP has doubled, now accounting for 18.5 percent of the world economy. China has ensured food and energy security for its more than 1.4 billion people. China has excelled in building a modern infrastructure system, including the world’s largest networks of high-speed railways and expressways, numerous airports and sea ports, water conservancy and energy projects, etc.
On social development, China has lifted 100 million people out of poverty and resolved the problem of absolute poverty, an unprecedented accomplishment in the history of China and that of the world. It has worked continuously to ensure people’s access to childcare, education, employment, medical services, elderly care, housing, and social assistance, thus bringing about an all-around improvement in people’s lives. China’s life expectancy has reached 78.2 years.
On environment protection, China has acted on the idea that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets. It is leading the world in developing renewable energy, and its installed capacity of wind, solar, hydro and biomass power accounts for more than one third of the world’s total. China has made solid progress in promoting green, circular, and low-carbon development, its ecological conservation systems have been remarkably improved.
On opening up, China has become a major trading partner for more than 140 countries and regions. It is the world’s top trader in goods, a major destination for global investment and a leading country in outbound investment. China has worked to build a globally-oriented network of high-standard free trade areas and accelerated the development of pilot free trade zones. China has been advancing the Belt and Road Initiative, making it a public good and a cooperation platform.
Blueprint for the Future: Chinese modernization
The Congress has set up the centenary goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects by 2049, the year marking the 100th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.