Chinese Dream a civilizational perspective
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E-mail China.org.cn, December 5, 2013
--Mohamed Noman Galal, Member, Egyptian Council for Foreign Relations
The term "Dream" is an old term related to the religious scripts, but it is used also in literature particularly the famous Chinese classical Novel "The Dream of the Red Chamber" were written by Cao Xueqin in the 18th.century during the Qing Dynasty
In the USA raised the slogan "I had a Dream". His dream is achieved after nearly forty years of his assassination with the rise of Barak Obama to the top post of the USA, as a president in 2008.
Xi Jinping the General Secretary of the Chinese Communist party spoke about Chinese Dream in November 2012 and reiterated the slogan after being elected as the president of China in March 2013 with vigor. This led to the wide spread use of the term not only in Chinese media but also worldwide.
Xi's concept of the Chinese dream is related to the Chinese vision for the future. Xi has described the dream as " national rejuvenation, improvement of people`s livelihoods, prosperity, construction of a better society and military strengthening ".
According to the party's theoretical Journal "Qiushi" the Chinese dream is about Chinese prosperity, collective effort, socialism and national glory In the USA raised the slogan "I had a Dream". His dream is achieved after nearly forty years of his assassination with the rise of Barak Obama to the top post of the USA, as a president in 2008.
The main components of the "Chinese Dream "could be four:
1- Strong China (In all fields)).
2-Civilized China (Equality and Fairness)
3-Harmonious China (Amity among social class and harmonious world
4- Beautiful China (Healthy environment and low pollution).
China like any country has its strengths and weaknesses. From an analytical perspective one can the envisage Chinese strengths as follows:
First: Chinese demography such a huge number of populations is the greatest asset for China. Of course it has also its liabilities if China is weak .Nevertheless in the current situation demography is the biggest asset. It provides China with talents, labor for agriculture, industry and services either skilled, half skilled or ordinary labor work and also military recruitment.
Second: Chinese geography which is vast, with various climates, and many natural resources. It is the second big assets.
Third: Chinese political system is the third main asset. It has the capacity for active, reactive mobilization to face any challenge and to achieve any target
Fourth: Chinese soft power is the fourth assets. China historically is focused on its territories to develop and to protect against invaders so they built the Great Wall. Chinese army never invaded or colonized other countries. It is a unique model of civilization not like other ancient or modern civilizations that conquered or occupied and colonized other countries territories. It never thought to spread or preach its values or philosophy or political model in other places. Chinese people in general are peace loving. Chinese culture is a reconciliatory and compromising one.
Five China "hard power" is increasing in its ability, professionalism and technology in various military organs .It is capable of defending the country in time of need. The peaceful rise of China is a reality meanwhile China is applying the classical strategic concept that "if you want peace you must prepare for war".
Six: Chinese foreign policy. It is a policy based on peaceful coexistence. It is oriented towards the practice of gaining friends and building bridges with other countries. It is keen to avoided creating enemies. This is due to its adherence to the principle of non-interference and non- intervention in other countries internal affairs. It is a practice contrary to what other big powers are doing by preaching their principles and their values to other nations .Thus, the Chinese diplomacy has less problems to worry about in its foreign relations. China foreign policy is a national oriented not a hegemonic or dominating oriented one. The Chinese foreign policy guiding principle is win -win cooperation not sovereign/ vassal relationship.
As for vulnerabilities they could envisage as follows:
First; Corruption is the most daunting challenge.
Second: Environment including pollution it is the second most serious weakness in a fast growing society like China. Henceforth the call for ecological civilization is timely and pertinent call.
Third: The widening gap between regions cities, classes and individuals. This is the price of economic reform and rapid development. It has to be dealt with swiftly.
Fourth: Social services and social vices. One has to recall that getting rid of such social vices and providing social services are concrete achievements of socialist system. Today the unemployment is high and serious problems exist for housing, education and medical care .
Fifth: The grievances of certain nationalities in some ethnic regions are some of the challenges for the system.
Sixth: The program of the party needs to be revisited to incorporate a gradual political reform.
In conclusion to assess these weaknesses against the strengths, one feels comfortable that Chinese dream to rejuvenate its culture and civilization, to build a strong country with deterrence capabilities, to achieve well- being and welfare for its people is within reach and attainable . Thus, Chinese dream could be strategic vision towards the future that makes it reality and no longer a dream in cyberspace.
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