Last month, the Communist Party of China (CPC) has convened its 20th National Congress in Beijing. The Congress elected the new central leadership, and mapped out overall strategic plans for the work of the Party and the country in a new era and on a new journey, covering among others, economic development, science and education, democracy, rule of law, cultural development, ecological civilization. It also pointed out that from the day forward, the central task of the CPC will be to lead the Chinese people of all ethnic groups in a concerted effort to realize the Second Centenary Goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects and to advance the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization.
As the world enters a new era of volatility and transformation and the humanity is faced with unprecedented common challenges, the Congress has drawn widespread attention. The world is watching which development path China will follow. Chinese modernization, based on decades of exploration and practice, is the solution to deal with the changes that are consequential to the world, to our times, and to history. So what is Chinese modernization? It is socialist modernization pursued under the leadership of the CPC and for the sake of people’s interests and wellbeing. It contains elements that are common to the modernization processes of all countries, but it is more characterized by features that are unique to the Chinese context. I would like to take the opportunity to introduce three of its main features to the Finnish friends.
Chinese modernization is the modernization of a huge population. China has a population of over 1.4 billion, a number larger than the combined population of all developed countries today. Modernization for such number of people will bring in enormous market effect. China is committed to its fundamental policy of opening up. China’s enormous market is enormous opportunities for the world.
Chinese modernization is the modernization of harmony between humanity and nature. China is committed to sustainable development and to the principles of prioritizing resource conservation and environmental protection and letting nature restore itself, and has actively participated in global governance on environmental protection and in response to climate change. China has recently hosted the 14th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP14). As president, China is actively preparing for the second part of the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15). China has already made commitment to strive to peak CO2 emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. We have published the Action Plan for CO2 Peaking, and are implementing specific plans for respective sectors such as energy and industry. Such efforts mean that as the largest developing country, China will move from carbon peak to carbon neutrality in the shortest span in history.
Chinese modernization is also the modernization of peaceful development. In pursuing modernization, China will not tread the old path of war, colonization and plunder taken by some countries. We remain firm in pursuing an independent foreign policy of peace and pursue a mutually beneficial strategy of opening up. China adheres to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence (mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual nonaggression, noninterference in each other’s internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence) in pursuing friendship and cooperation with other countries, promotes high-standard opening up and works to make global governance fairer and more equitable. It is clear that China is not a threat, but an important force for peace, friendship and cooperation on the global stage. China puts forward the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the International Cooperation Initiative on Global Food Security. China also proposes with other countries the Initiative of International Cooperation on Resilient and Stable Industrial and Supply Chains, and calls for the establishment of the Global Clean Energy Cooperation Partnership. We stand ready to work with the international community to put these initiatives into action.
Modernization is not a privilege reserved for any single country. Every nation is entitled to the right for a better life. With the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind, we should make global development more inclusive, resilient and beneficial to all. China is not only confident of doing its own part to achieve its own development, but also willing to continue to create new opportunities with its development for Finland and other countries. We will work hard to promote relevant international cooperation and play a constructive role for world peace, stability and development.
