Shortly before the opening of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on November 8, officials, academics, scholars and advocates of friendly ties with China from a number of countries told People's Daily that China has made remarkable progress in its socialist cause under the guidance of the Scientific Outlook on Development proposed by the CPC.

A strategic adjustment required by the times

The Scientific Outlook on Development put forward by Hu Jintao, General Secretary of the 17th CPC Central Committee, is a timely proposition, said Bo Zhiyue, a senior research fellow with the East Asian Institute of the National University of Singapore. The concept is not a simple political slogan, but calls for an all-round strategic adjustment: Priority should be given not only to quantity but also to the quality of development, he said. While promoting economic growth, China should take into consideration balanced development in areas such as society and culture and, in particular, environmental protection. The Scientific Outlook on Development has been implemented over the past decade, leading to the continued and rapid growth of China's economy, heightened sensitivity of the Chinese Government regarding environmental pollution and raised public awareness about environmental protection. China does not need to seek a panacea for sustainable development problems from other countries, Bo said, adding that the Scientific Outlook on Development is the best therapy.

The Scientific Outlook on Development is a governance concept Hu proposed in 2003 in keeping with the times based on the Deng Xiaoping Theory and the important thought of Three Represents advocated by Jiang Zemin, former General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, said Kevin Jianjun Tu, a senior associate with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and head of the U.S.-based think tank's program on China's energy and climate policies. The concept emerged at a critical juncture when China faced increasing resource and environmental constraints despite notable progress in reform and opening up. China's economy has made strides under the guidance of the Scientific Outlook on Development over the past decade, Tu noted.

North Korea is pleased that under the correct leadership of the CPC, Chinese people have made great achievements in fostering social harmony and building socialism with Chinese characteristics under the guidance of the Scientific Outlook on Development, said Kim Ki Ryong, Editor in Chief of North Korea's Rodong Sinmun newspaper.

The Scientific Outlook on Development is essential to China's development, said Omar Ahmed Albitar, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to China. With its strategic vision and wisdom, the CPC has charted the course for China's development in a scientific way, while leading Chinese people in overcoming difficulties and coping with challenges. He said China has made rapid progress in a short period, as evidenced by the dramatic rise in its comprehensive national strength and Chinese people's living standards. In a sense, China has set an example for other developing countries, he added.

Taking the Scientific Outlook on Development as a guideline, China has achieved comprehensive, balanced and sustainable development, said Ahmad A. M. Ramadan, Palestine's Ambassador to China. The country's achievements, including great improvements in areas related to people's well-being such as healthcare, education and social security, have caught wide attention, he said.

As China sticks to the Scientific Outlook on Development, the living standards of Chinese people have continued to improve, along with laudable progress in areas such as education, culture and social security, said Hassane Rabehi, Algeria's Ambassador to China.

New development model inspiring the world

Garth Shelton, a professor with the Department of International Relations at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa, pointed out the Scientific Outlook on Development marks a breakthrough in the system of theories of socialism with Chinese characteristics. He believes the notion expresses concern about and offers a solution to China's pressing problems. As it advocates a people-first approach, the concept encourages people to work hard for economic growth, he said. At the same time, it underlines the need for China to seek more balanced, comprehensive and sustainable development. It has further improved the theoretical and practical systems of socialism with Chinese characteristics, thus showing China the right path to development, he said. The Scientific Outlook on Development sheds light on a new development model, which is highly relevant to the world, he added.

In the view of Gregory L. P. Munyai, a member of the African National Congress, South Africa's ruling party, the Scientific Outlook on Development conveys firm confidence and strength. The CPC's efforts to uphold the people-first principle and seek development in a scientific way are admirable, he said. The Party's strong leadership guarantees China's all-round development, which in turn helps consolidate the Party's governing status. The African National Congress should learn from the CPC, he said.

China has made prominent progress in the past decade as it follows the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics and further improves its development philosophy and model, said Angel Maestro, a Spanish expert of Chinese studies. The Scientific Outlook on Development, which Hu set forth in light of China's realities, serves as a guideline for China's development as well as a principle worth drawing on by other countries, he said.

As a successful political party that advances with the times, the CPC put forward the Scientific Outlook on Development, which stresses the people-first principle, at an opportune moment, said Felipe R. Debasa Navalpotro, Secretary General of the Center for Chinese Studies, Pang Diwo, at Universidad Rey Juan Carlos in Spain. The Party has focused on problems affecting people's livelihoods and made great efforts to develop education, reduce poverty, improve the environment, curb rising housing prices and nurture the growth of young people, he said.

The goal of building a harmonious society set by Hu is a practical guideline for China's development, said Jesús Osuna Sanz, President of the Friends of China Association in Spain. China's development presents many opportunities to Chinese people, he said. In particular, it imbues young Chinese with confidence about the future.

The adoption and implementation of the Scientific Outlook on Development ensure China develops in the right direction, said Gene Hartigan, Co-chairman of the U.S.-China Partnership Committee and former Executive Chairman of the Massachusetts Republican Party. China has conducted and is conducting many important reforms to promote more comprehensive, balanced and sustainable economic and social development, he noted.

China will make greater achievements as it continues to push for people-oriented development, said Awale Ali Kullane, First Counselor of the Somali Embassy to China.