SCIO press conference on 'China's Epic Journey from Poverty to Prosperity' white paper
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E-mail China.org.cn, September 30, 2021
CCTV:
The key phrase of the white paper is "moderate prosperity in all respects." How to understand and interpret that? What are your assessment criteria? As you mentioned, working to benefit the people is fundamental to moderate prosperity. In this regard, will people's income and living standards be substantially improved? What are the defining indicators? Thank you.
Zhao Chenxin:
Thank you very much for your questions – I'll take them. These are very good questions, short but rich in content. As far as I can see, they involve the definition of "moderate prosperity in all respects," indicators for its evaluation, and changes it has brought to people's wellbeing. I'll give you my answers from these three aspects one by one.
First, on how to understand moderate prosperity in all respects. As Mr. Xu highlighted just now, the first sentence of the white paper says that "achieving moderate prosperity fulfills a long-cherished dream of the Chinese nation." Over the past century, led by the CPC, generations of Chinese people have persevered, progressing step by step from a subsistence standard of living to piecemeal prosperity, then to moderate prosperity throughout the country, thus marking a critical step towards realizing the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation. Since the 18th CPC National Congress in particular, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has prioritized the realization of moderate prosperity in its governance, ensured coordinated implementation of the five-sphere integrated plan and the four-pronged comprehensive strategy, focused on tackling areas of weaknesses, and implemented targeted poverty alleviation measures, presenting a series of important ideas and concepts and taking a number of major measures to ensure that the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects is completed on schedule. The key to building a moderately prosperous society in all respects lies in "all respects." In my view, moderate prosperity in all respects means coordinated economic, political, cultural, social, and eco-environmental progress, to the benefit of the entire population and covering both urban and rural areas. To this end, we need to address areas of weakness and facilitate a more balanced, coordinated, and sustainable development. The white paper elaborates on all these points in great detail. I believe that you will gain more understanding and findings from a closer look at it.
Second, on the indicators for its evaluation. At its 18th National Congress, the CPC announced that China would realize the First Centenary Goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. It defined the metrics for such a society: sustained and sound economic development, greater people's democracy, a significant improvement in cultural soft power, higher living standards, and major progress in building a resource-conserving and environment-friendly society. At its 19th National Congress, the CPC conducted a comprehensive analysis of the fundamental conditions required to achieve all-around moderate prosperity and the internal and external factors impacting this process. On this basis, it defined a strategy for securing success in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and embarking on a journey to fully build a modern socialist China. General Secretary Xi Jinping has assumed leadership, made plans, and pushed forward the efforts to build a moderately prosperous society in all respects. As Mr. Xu highlighted just now, with efforts in eliminating absolute poverty, advancing reform, combating COVID-19, controlling pollution, and defusing risks over these years, China has addressed many long-standing and complex problems and achieved many objectives where progress had been slow. We have seen historic successes and transformations in the pursuit of the cause, and the Chinese people have gained a stronger sense of fulfillment, happiness, and security. In particular, the country has put an end to absolute poverty – a basic objective – I think, and the most defining indicator of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects.
Third, on people's wellbeing. A moderately prosperous society in all respects puts people first and places their wellbeing above anything else. The people are at the center of the philosophy of the CPC, and improving people's lives and wellbeing is the Party's goal. People's lives have been notably improved as a result. Here are some data: the average per capita disposable income made a huge jump from 171 yuan in 1978 to 32,189 yuan in 2020 and the Engel coefficient of urban residents dropped from 57.5% in 1978 to 29.2% in 2020, and that of rural residents from 67.7% to 32.7%. Once basic needs for food and other daily necessities have been satisfied, people want a better life, including better food, clothes, housing, and travel facilities. Subsistence-based consumption is gradually giving way to a model directed towards greater fulfillment and comfort. They are fully supplied with daily necessities and own a range of home appliances, and car ownership is common. Consumption of services such as catering, health care, education, tourism, culture, and entertainment has continued to surge. With the improvements in employment, education, social security, medical care, social governance, and other public services, their rights to subsistence and development are well protected. There are a lot more detailed data and examples in the white paper providing evidence for these changes. I hope you will gain a better understanding with a closer look at it. Thank you.
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