Xiao Tang

Central-Local Relations

As a huge country with a high population, a vast territory and imbalanced economic development across various regions, China has both the advantages and disadvantages of all large nations, particularly in terms of politics. This means that a careful balance between central and local relations is critical, especially under the governance of a single party. China deals with central-local relations using two initiatives, having learned that one initiative leads to improper handling. Mao Zedong believed that a combination of central and local initiatives was the key to success. In essence, this refers to the formation of a mechanism for incentive compatibility, through which each initiative can play its proper role, and national strength can be united to focus on state affairs.

China’s Unique Development Path

“Zhou is an old country state, but its mission is reform” (Text comes from the Book of Songs·Elegance·King Wen). Chinese civilization is an ancient civilization with a long history; however, it also represents the rebirth of a new civilization (Webb wrote that, “a great nation will not change or become old because of the heavy burden of a brilliant history of thousands of years. As long as a nation has the ability and courage to maintain confidence in itself, and to retain its great instinct that it has possessed all along, the nation can be young forever”. Webb: Weber Political Writings, translated by Yan Kewen, p. 23, The Oriental Press, 2009). The Chinese nation is a historical giant, and has always been a giant in the world no matter whether she is standing tall or lying down, or whether she is prosperous or in decline (Song Jian: Spreading Science & Technology into People, Science & Technology Daily, February 3, 1990). The Chinese people have a great dream, which is to live a happier and more wonderful life. The People’s Republic of China has a great goal, which is socialist modernization with Chinese characteristics. The CPC shoulders a great historical mission, which is to realize the “Chinese dream” of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Introduction: People-Centered Development Idea

In different development stages, a society will have different development tasks, themes, and priorities. China continues to pursue socialist modernization, maintaining Chinese characteristics in its choice of development paths and the planning of development strategies. During different development stages, China has had different development tasks, and has guided by different development concepts. With the development of practices, the concept of development is constantly evolving, staying current in the changing times. It constantly guides practices with a more scientific concept, and enables China to constantly move forward.

The Relationship Between the Government and the Market

The Decision of the Central Committee of the C.P.C. on Comprehensively Deepening Reform of Several Major Issues (hereinafter referred to as the Decision) made at the Third Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee of the C.P.C. put forward a series of major theoretical perspectives and practical guidelines for deepening economic reform, based around the decisive role of the market in the allocation of resources. This augured a new era in China’s economic reform. Economic reform formed the basis of wider reforms.

The Construction of China’s State System

On November 8, 2012, Hu Jintao issued a report at the 18th National Congress of the C.P.C. in which he emphasized the importance of the road ahead: ‘Forging an onward path is the lifeblood of the Party. It is the future and destiny of the nation, and is crucial to the wellbeing of the people.’

Modernization of State Governance

On February 17, 2014, Xi Jinping delivered a speech (hereinafter referred to as the Speech) at the opening ceremony of a seminar at which provincial and ministerial-level leading cadres discussed the deepening of reform laid out in the Third Plenary Session of the Eighteenth Central Committee of the C.P.C.

The Third Plenary Session of the Eighteenth Central Committee of the C.P.C.—A New Milestone in China’s Reform

First, the Third Plenary Session of the Eighteenth Central Committee of the C.P.C. was a milestone in China’s reform. Reform and Opening lasted 35 years in China. The Third Plenary Session became an important symbol of staged reform, reflecting the development and historical logic of Chinese reform itself. Xi Jinping said that since Reform and Opening, all topics discussed, all decisions made, all measures taken, and all signals released in previous third plenary sessions are the basis for judging the administrative policy and focus of the new leading group. They are great significant to completing the work of the next five or even 10 years.

Governance of China and the U.S.A.—A Comparison and Analysis

Against a backdrop of economic globalization, national competition is essentially a case of governing capacity, focused on national institutions. The general rule is that no progress or slow progress means regression. This can be called a ‘simple truth’, which Chinese leaders have grasped when faced with the issue of global competition. The Report to the 16th C.P.C. National Congress in 2002 highlighted the fact that no progress means regression.

The Relationship Between the State-Owned and Private Economies

After the founding of New China, it was necessary to find an economic model that truly conformed to the basic national conditions and adapted to the various development stages. The relationship between the public ownership economy and the other economies had to be set. After 60 years of practice and repeated trial and error, a basic socialist economic system was created, with public ownership at the helm and diverse forms of ownership developing side by side. China’s basic economic system is unique in the world, and is a major string to the Party’s bow. Its advantages lie in giving full play to the respective advantages of diverse forms of ownership, and in fully mobilizing the creativity of each aspect. It is the world’s most dynamic and competitive economic system by far, but it has not been plain sailing.