FROM EIR DAILY ALERT
Xi Jinping, on 40th Anniversary of ‘Reform and Opening Up,’ Depicts ‘Grand Vision for the Future’
Dec. 18, 2018 (EIRNS)—Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a major policy address today, the 40th anniversary of the policy of “Reform and Opening Up” which created China’s extraordinary economic achievements today. Xi spoke at the Great Hall of the People before some 3,000 guests, and he asserted China’s ongoing commitment to that policy of accelerated economic development, stating that it is the only viable way of addressing the “complicated” international situation that China faces.
Xi’s remarks were broadcast live to the entire nation, and to the world on CGTN TV network with simultaneous interpretation into English. Before his speech, there was an awards ceremony for 100 people who contributed to Reform and Opening Up (ROU) over the years, complete with a Chinese “oompah” band and other pomp and circumstance. All participants sang the national anthem.
Highlights of the 90-minute speech are paraphrased below, as an official English translation has not been published as of this writing.
The first part of Xi’s speech emphasized the enormous success of the 40 years of ROU, which was implemented under Deng Xiaoping’s leadership after China was ravaged by the Cultural Revolution, and was on the brink of collapse. It is true that there are material forces of history that shape the environment, but man can act to change his history, and those policies had to be reversed. It is not true that poverty is equal to socialism. Under Deng, the priority was shifted to economic development, and to pursue socialism with Chinese characteristics.
Xi emphasized the importance of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Nov. 5-10 China International Import Expo, in terms of China’s growing role in the world.
The second section of the speech reviewed the extraordinary economic achievements of the last 40 years, with a focus on key physical economic parameters. China has a modern industrial sector, has advanced in science and technology, and has built lots of infrastructure, such as the South-North water project and extensive high-speed rail lines. China is #2 in the world in GDP, having grown 9.5% per year on average over this period, and #1 in manufacturing. China has lifted 740 million people out of poverty in the 40 years, reducing the poverty head count ratio by 94.4%. The nation has built the world’s largest social security system, with the basic old-age pension covering more than 900 million people and medical insurance covering over 1.3 billion people. China has bid farewell to the problems that plagued its people for thousands of years, including hunger, shortage and poverty. Life expectancy has increased dramatically, from 67.8 years in 1981 to 76.6 years in 2017. In education, 93.8% of the age group have received compulsory 9 years of education.
China’s development over the past 40 years has effectively served the cause of world peace and development. We have been able to industrialize in a few decades, what it took other countries centuries to achieve. This is a high tribute to the entire nation.
In the third section, Xi turned to the future. We will further promote ROU, always enhancing the role of the Chinese Communist Party. We will maintain a people-oriented approach. We will stay the course of socialism with Chinese characteristics: No one can dictate to us what we will do. Development remains our top national priority. That is based on innovation, and finding new engines of growth. Talent is our most important resource.
We will keep building a “community of a shared future for mankind”; China cannot develop itself in isolation from the world, and the world needs China for global prosperity. We promote win-win policies internationally. We will keep working jointly on the BRI: We will never pursue this at the cost of others’ interests; we will never seek revenge.
Xi then praised the Chinese military, under Communist Party direction. He said that Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao will continue to express the policy of “one country, two systems,” adding that we won’t allow even an inch of China to be separated.
The fourth, summary section, was a powerful mobilization call to the nation, and a message to the world. China is a country with more than 5,000 years of civilization and more than 1.3 billion people. No one is in a position to dictate to the Chinese people what should or should not be done.
The Old Silk Road embraced the entire world, and we are doing the same thing now. We need a “grand vision” for the future. What we have done so far is only the prologue to the drama. We Chinese are good at building the new world, because we never lose confidence in the future, come rain or shine. Building that great dream comes from hard work, not chanting slogans. We must press ahead; there is no turning back from the irresistible driving force for our national rejuvenation. China will stay committed to the ROU, and we will create miracles that will impress the world.
