Article source: National Governance Weekly, written by Yang Canming
In the report of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), General Secretary Xi Jinping articulated the goal of "fully advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-style modernization," defining "Chinese-style modernization" as a modernization characterized by common prosperity for all. Professor Yang Canming, President of Zhongnan University of Economics and Law and Director of IIDPF, in his article for the "National Governance" weekly, underscored that upholding the leadership of the Communist Party of China and the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics serves as the political guarantor for achieving common prosperity for all. High-quality development is delineated as the pathway to this goal, the development of a whole-process people's democracy as its institutional underpinning, the enrichment of the people's spiritual lives as a means of elevating the concept, the harmonious coexistence of humanity and nature as a theoretical innovation, the construction of a community with a shared future for humanity as an expansion of vision, and a new paradigm of human civilization as the contemporary character of common prosperity.
General Secretary Xi Jinping, in the report of the 20th National Congress, posited that "Chinese-style modernization fully propels the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," asserting that "Chinese-style modernization embodies modernization of common prosperity for all people." Attaining common prosperity for all stands as one of the intrinsic requirements of Chinese-style modernization. At this new historical juncture, advancing common prosperity for all is posited as a central effort in the pursuit of prosperity for the people, exploring a path to common prosperity that is distinctly Chinese in character.
The steadfast leadership of the Communist Party of China and the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics are heralded as the political safeguards for common prosperity for all.
Since its inception in 1921, the Communist Party of China has committed to seeking prosperity for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation as its founding mission, leading all ethnic groups across the country in an unremitting struggle for national independence, people's liberation, and the prosperity of the nation and the prosperity of its people. As a Marxist political party, the CPC persistently upholds the people-first principle, striving towards the free and comprehensive development of every individual, and the realization of common prosperity for all. Generations of CPC members have tirelessly labored towards the socialist fundamental requirement of common prosperity for all. During the New Democratic Revolution, land reforms ensured "land to the tiller"; in the socialist revolution and construction phase, Comrade Mao Zedong advocated for leading peasants on the socialist path to prosperity; in the era of reform and opening up and socialist modernization, Comrade Deng Xiaoping endorsed the concept of allowing some regions and people to prosper first, thereby aiding others towards gradual common prosperity; in the new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics, the most extensive and intensive poverty alleviation campaign in human history was launched. These actions represent the CPC's vigorous explorations and practices towards leading the Chinese populace towards common prosperity. At this new historical threshold, it is asserted that only through the leadership of the Communist Party of China can the dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation be realized, along with the attainment of common prosperity for all.
The pathway of socialism with Chinese characteristics, emerging from the synthesis of Marxism's basic principles with China's specific conditions, is identified as the correct route forged by the CPC in leading the Chinese people, in alignment with China's national conditions, and is indispensable in driving towards common prosperity. This path has guided the Chinese populace from rising to prosperity and then to strength, achieving a monumental leap and creating a global marvel by eliminating absolute poverty in a populous nation. The distinct advantages of the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics illuminate the direction for continued progress and effort among the Chinese people, imbuing them with the confidence for independent and self-reliant development, ensuring their rights to equal and free development, and fueling their resolve to tackle challenges. Only by persisting on this path can the destiny of China's development and progress be securely held in our own hands, guaranteeing the realization of common prosperity for all.
High-quality development is delineated as the pathway for achieving common prosperity for all.
Marx envisioned a future socialist society wherein "the development of social productive forces would advance so swiftly... that production would aim at the richness of all people." Comrade Deng Xiaoping articulated, "The essence of socialism is the liberation and development of productive forces, the abolition of exploitation, the elimination of polarization, and ultimately achieving common prosperity." General Secretary Xi Jinping, in his discourse on "Solidly Advancing Common Prosperity," reaffirmed the commitment to a people-centered development philosophy, advocating for the promotion of common prosperity within the context of high-quality development. From Marxist theories on common prosperity, through the CPC's evolving thoughts on the matter, to General Secretary Xi Jinping's significant propositions at this new juncture, it is underscored that at its core, achieving common prosperity is a matter of development. It is posited that only through high-quality development can economic progress be qualitatively and quantitatively advanced, laying a solid material foundation for common prosperity for all, enlarging the "cake" while also ensuring its equitable distribution, balancing efficiency with equity, and ultimately realizing common prosperity.
Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, a conducive foundation for advancing common prosperity has been established through coordinated regional development, the victorious battle against poverty, and the comprehensive construction of a moderately prosperous society. At this new historical milestone, common prosperity is accorded heightened importance. The high-quality development strategy proposed by General Secretary Xi Jinping has shown significant efficacy in fostering common prosperity for all. Zhejiang, designated as a demonstration zone for common prosperity, has wholly embraced the new development concepts of innovation, coordination, green growth, openness, and sharing, concentrating on addressing the imbalances and inadequacies between regions and between urban and rural areas, thus solidly propelling the practical process of common prosperity and serving as a successful exemplar for other regions in promoting common prosperity. The experiences from these practical dimensions affirm that high-quality development constitutes the scientific approach to achieving common prosperity for all.
The development of a whole-process people's democracy is posited as the institutional foundation for common prosperity for all.
Whole-process people's democracy, inherent to socialist democratic politics, and common prosperity for all, as a shared aspiration and vision of the people, share common value foundations deeply rooted in the long-standing excellent traditional Chinese culture of "the world is for the public," "inclusiveness," and "a community with a shared future for mankind," bearing intrinsic connections and consistency. At this new starting point, achieving common prosperity for all necessarily entails the perfection of the people's sovereignty system and the full development of a whole-process people's democracy.
Whole-process people's democracy represents a synergistic interaction between institutional construction and democratic practice, offering the broadest democratic platform for common prosperity. From a strategic standpoint, common prosperity signifies prosperity that benefits all citizens and encompasses comprehensive well-being. Its construction process's appropriateness, stability, and the optimization and effectiveness of outcomes rely on the regulatory support of the whole-process people's democracy system. Notably, whole-process people's democracy requires not only complete institutional procedures but also thorough participation practices. General Secretary Xi Jinping elucidated, "Democracy is not an ornament, nor a display piece, but a means to address the problems that people need solved." Whole-process people's democracy, encompassing the entire chain, all aspects, and all areas, mandates comprehensive participation, practice content, coverage, and democratic processes. Through ideological guidance and consensus building, integrating and unifying participation goals ensures that all participating entities have the opportunity to engage in the entire process of achieving common prosperity responsibly and in accordance with laws and regulations.
Whole-process people's democracy facilitates the transformation of the Party's value pursuit into democratic practice, mobilizing the broadest base of democratic participants for common prosperity. From the perspective of the production mode attribute inherent in common prosperity, it necessitates not only prosperity in productive forces but also communality in production relations. Whole-process people's democracy, as the most extensive, authentic, and effective form of democracy, encompasses a wide range of opinions and suggestions, unites all political groups and social forces, fully reflects the will of the people, safeguards the rights and interests of the people, and stimulates the creative vitality of the people. It aims to shape a governance community conducive to reinforcing the implementation of value principles for promoting common prosperity for all. This approach not only aligns with the objective realities of economic development but also facilitates the continuous stimulation and protection of worker enthusiasm, the improvement of a co-construction, co-governance, and sharing social governance system. Whole-process people's democracy, in managing the balance between fairness and efficiency, the overall and the specific, boasts significant institutional advantages and efficiency.
Enriching the spiritual world of the people is identified as a level of enhancement for common prosperity.
In the new era spanning a decade, China's economic strength has witnessed a historic surge, with the gross domestic product (GDP) growing from 54 trillion yuan to 114 trillion yuan. China's share of the global economy has reached 18.5%, marking an increase of 7.2 percentage points and solidifying its position as the world's second-largest economy. The per capita GDP has risen from 39,800 yuan to 81,000 yuan. These achievements and figures demonstrate that under the Party's leadership, China's economic prowess has continually strengthened, and its material civilization has progressively advanced. Yet, achieving national rejuvenation necessitates not only formidable material forces but also robust spiritual forces. The 20th National Congress report of the CPC highlighted, "Chinese-style modernization is the modernization that coordinates the development of material civilization and spiritual civilization." "Enriching the spiritual world of the people" is a core requirement of Chinese-style modernization and a primary focus in realizing common prosperity for all. This underscores the Central Committee of the CPC's concern for the well-being of the people, extending beyond the material realm to the spiritual domain.
Enriching the spiritual world of the people is an essential demand of the Marxist materialist conception of history. Marxist theories on human development emphasize the comprehensive, harmonious, free, and full development of individuals. Lenin highlighted that comprehensive development entails a process where people's evolving "material needs" and "spiritual needs" are fully met, and individuals' communist morality, cultural knowledge level, and labor capabilities are enhanced. General Secretary Xi Jinping stressed, "We must reinforce the guidance of socialist core values, intensify patriotism, collectivism, socialism education, expand public cultural undertakings, refine the public cultural service system, and continually meet the diverse, multi-level, and multifaceted spiritual and cultural demands of the populace." Enriching the spiritual world of the people reflects the Central Committee of the CPC, with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, upholding the Marxist materialist conception of history in the new era, responding to the demands of the times, and showcasing the progressive nature of the Communist Party of China as a Marxist political party.
Harmonious coexistence between humans and nature as the theoretical innovation for common prosperity for all.
The harmonious coexistence between humans and nature is not merely a millennia-long strategy for the sustainable development of human civilization but also a crucial pathway towards achieving common prosperity for all. Nature constitutes the fundamental condition for human survival and development. Respecting, conforming to, and protecting nature are inherent requirements for comprehensively constructing a socialist modern nation. General Secretary Xi Jinping, in the 20th National Congress report, emphasized, "We must firmly establish and practice the concept that clear waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets, planning development from the perspective of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature." This notion, rooted in various excellent traditional Chinese cultural elements such as "the Tao follows nature," "unity of man and nature," and "equality of all beings," represents a significant theoretical innovation in advancing common prosperity for all.
The richness of nature leads to the prosperity of its people, and the flourishing of ecology contributes to the nation's prosperity. Natural wealth encompasses both economic prosperity and spiritual enrichment. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, China has achieved historic accomplishments in socio-economic development and ecological civilization construction. During this period, the national forest coverage rate reached 24.02%, forest stock volume reached 194.93 billion cubic meters, and both forest area and stock volume have witnessed a continuous "double increase" in a positive trend; the transformation towards green and low-carbon energy, energy conservation, and emission reduction have seen remarkable results, with the installed capacity of renewable energy steadily ranking first globally. The proportion of clean energy consumption increased from 14.5% to 25.5%, and the scale of coal-fired power units with ultra-low emissions surpassed 1 billion kilowatts. China has led globally in energy efficiency and emission levels, supporting an average annual economic growth of 6.5% with an annual energy consumption growth rate of 3%. Energy consumption intensity has cumulatively decreased by 26.2%, and carbon dioxide emission intensity reduction has exceeded the autonomous contribution target. Effective improvements in urban and rural living environments, the development of beautiful rural areas, the promotion of rural tourism, driving farmers out of poverty and increasing income, and the widespread adoption of the "two mountains" concept have deeply resonated with many, becoming the autonomous choice of a broader population.
Evidence demonstrates that the theoretical innovation of promoting common prosperity through ecological civilization construction injects vigorous momentum into Chinese-style modernization. Looking ahead, it is imperative to steadfastly accelerate the green transformation of development modes, deeply advance environmental pollution prevention and control, enhance the ecosystem's diversity, stability, and sustainability, and coordinate the promotion of carbon reduction, pollution reduction, green expansion, and growth. Actively and prudently advancing the goals of reaching a carbon peak and carbon neutrality; with high-level ecological civilization construction, converting natural resource endowments into economic development dividends, transforming various rural natural resources into assets that boost farmers' incomes, thereby enhancing people's well-being. Based on the ecological dimension, narrowing regional disparities, urban-rural divides, and income gaps; constructing a beautiful homeland with blue skies, green mountains, and clear waters, making nature prosperous, allows all people to not only enjoy material wealth but also significantly improve the ecological environment.
Building a community with a shared future for humanity as the vision expansion for common prosperity for all.
Presently, unprecedented changes are unfolding across the world, the era, and history. At this historical crossroads, facing the question of "where to go," drawing from traditional Chinese cultural ideals such as "a community with a shared future for mankind" and assessments of the global historical process, the transformation of new and old contradictions, and the trend of era development, General Secretary Xi Jinping proposed in the 20th National Congress report, "China consistently upholds the diplomatic policy of maintaining world peace and promoting common development, dedicated to advancing the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind." "We earnestly call upon all nations to champion peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy, and freedom, the universal values of all humanity, foster mutual understanding and closeness among peoples worldwide, respect the diversity of world civilizations, transcend cultural barriers through cultural exchanges, overcome cultural conflicts through cultural mutual learning, surpass cultural supremacy through cultural coexistence, and collectively address various global challenges." Marxism's social ideal aims at "the liberation of all humanity," establishing a society based on "the principle of free and comprehensive development for each individual," namely achieving communism. The Communist Party of China, guided by Marxism, sets the achievement of communism as its ultimate goal and value, engaging in over a century of exploration and struggle. Marx's discourse on "each individual" makes no distinctions based on gender, ethnicity, or nationality but represents billions of individuals pursuing free and comprehensive development, whose collective aspirations for a better life form the pursuit of common prosperity by the community with a shared future for mankind. Constructing a community with a shared future for humanity and promoting common prosperity are integral aspects of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Based on General Secretary Xi Jinping's global value perspective, the concept of common prosperity in the new era has been elevated, and constructing a community with a shared future for humanity expands the vision for common prosperity for all.
Over the past decade, China has persistently broadened its high-level openness to the outside world, actively advancing the globalization process. Promoting the collaborative construction of the "Belt and Road Initiative," encouraging mutual benefit and common prosperity among countries along the route; leveraging the domestic market's massive scale to join the global economic development wave, establishing a new development pattern of dual domestic and international circulations, fostering international cooperation; advocating for the construction of a community with a shared future for humanity, adhering to the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits, promoting common progress among countries worldwide, achieving mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, and propelling the process of common prosperity for all humanity. China's poverty reduction achievements have contributed Chinese solutions and wisdom to the global elimination of absolute poverty, actively providing assistance to impoverished countries and regions. As of early July 2021, China has offered anti-epidemic material support to over 150 countries and 13 international organizations in combating the COVID-19 pandemic, providing vaccine assistance to over 80 urgently needing developing countries. China's contributions to the global fight against the epidemic demonstrate the responsibility of a major country, highlighting its commitment to global welfare.
From a temporal perspective, various countries and nations on Earth are at different stages of development; from a spatial standpoint, different countries and nations possess distinct development foundations. Consequently, the interests and demands between nations intersect, with the pursuit of common prosperity resonating strongly across borders. Practice has shown that in the journey towards achieving common prosperity for all, China's efforts to build a community with a shared future for humanity elevate the concept of common prosperity from the national to the global level. On one hand, this enriches the concept of common prosperity, and on the other, it broadens the avenues for its realization. This approach fully reflects the Communist Party of China's expansive vision in contributing wisdom and strength to address common global challenges and making greater contributions to the noble cause of peace and development for humanity.
A new paradigm of human civilization as the contemporary character of common prosperity for all.
Common prosperity for all people forms a distinctive contemporary trait of the new Chinese civilization. General Secretary Xi Jinping, at the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, declared, "We adhere to and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics, promoting the coordinated development of material civilization, political civilization, spiritual civilization, social civilization, and ecological civilization, forging a new path of Chinese-style modernization, creating a new form of human civilization." Chinese-style modernization, epitomizing modernization through common prosperity for all, symbolizes the grand voyage of the Communist Party of China uniting and leading the Chinese people in achieving prosperity in material, spiritual, cultural, and institutional realms. Common prosperity both inherits from the millennia-old excellent traditional Chinese culture and emerges as a product of the era, blending Marxist theory with China's practical development, showcasing the Communist Party of China's innovative progression of Chinese civilization and its profound understanding of human civilization's evolutionary laws. As the most grandiose and spectacular practical panorama in the annals of human development and civilization, the achievement of common prosperity for over 1.4 billion Chinese people will undoubtedly stand as a prominent contemporary characteristic of Chinese civilization, signaling a direction for the advancement of human civilization.
Common prosperity for all, contributing to and guiding the direction for an uplift in global civilization forms. Civilization becomes vibrant through exchange, enriched through mutual learning, and evolves through integration. The theoretical and practical endeavors of Chinese-style modernization have birthed a new form of human civilization, broadening the pathways for developing nations towards modernization, offering fresh alternatives to countries and nations aspiring for accelerated development while maintaining their independence. Common prosperity, arising from the strengths of the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, inherits and innovates the socialist civilization's noble pursuit of human equality and comprehensive free development. It transcends the Western modernization paradigm of "capital supremacy" and "material dominance," deeply reflecting the Communist Party of China's profound grasp of the laws governing human civilization's progression and its global concern for humanity's fate. The new form of human civilization engendered by common prosperity, embedded within the exploratory practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics and the construction of a community with a shared future for humanity, also resides. Upholding the development model of common prosperity, centered on "human development as the fundamental value," surpasses the inherent limitations of capitalist civilization, pioneering a new trajectory for modern human development. Contributing Chinese wisdom and solutions to the creation of a new form of human civilization, this original endeavor holds global significance, representing an innovative practice with worldwide implications.