Modernization of nation’s governance a top priority
Updated: 2019-11-14 07:42
(HK Edition)
Xiao Ping says the CPC has set the modernization of the country’s institutions as an overarching goal in its deeper reform at the right time in the new era
Editor’s note: This is the author’s third in a series on the Fourth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.
The modernization of the system and capacity of state governance was first introduced as an important issue for the Party to tackle at the Third Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China back in 2013, more than four decades after the Party set as its primary goals the modernization of agriculture, industry, national defense and science and technology, commonly known as the Four Modernizations. Now, with the addition of the governance system and capacity modernization, our governance strategy has been enriched and strengthened exponentially.
If one compares the Four Modernizations to hardware in national development, the “fifth modernization”, of the institutions and capacity to govern, would be the software. This is no easy feat considering the challenges and expectations placed upon them. The decision made at the Fourth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the CPC last month states: “The system and capacity of our state governance demonstrates the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics and its ability to be carried out.” It follows that the fifth modernization has become the overall objective of deeper reform in the new era.
The emphasis on state governance is deeply rooted in Chinese culture and tradition. The “middle kingdom” had been a unitary state governed from the top down for millennia. Many traits of Chinese history and culture can be found in the CPC’s philosophy of governing for the people. As it embarked on the path of the fifth modernization, the Party has taken to shoulder more responsibilities to sustain the growth of the wealth and power of the country.
Why didn’t the CPC set the modernization of the country’s governance system and capacity as its primary goal earlier? General Secretary Xi Jinping has offered a clear explanation.
First, it is a major task the CPC must accomplish in order to achieve the goals of turning the country into a moderately prosperous society by the year 2020, in time to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the CPC, and making the country one of the fully developed economies around the year 2050 – after the People’s Republic of China celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2049. Second, it is a fundamental requirement for the advancement of reform and opening-up in the new era, when system building and top-level design demand far more attention than ever. Moreover, it is necessary to ensure the system is stable in the face of challenges.
From an epistemological perspective, after 70 years of development and particularly in the past four decades of reform and opening-up, we now have a better understanding of the importance of the system and governance than ever. We see the advantages of our own system as well as the long and short aspects of our governance more clearly than ever. We know exactly what to uphold and strengthen, and what to improve and develop in moving forward. This means now is the best time to consciously and proactively pursue the fifth modernization because the conditions are right and we are ready.
The author is a veteran current affairs commentator.
(HK Edition 11/14/2019 page7)