3rd session of China’s 20th Central Committee: what to expect?

The Communist Party of China (CPC) is preparing to organise third plenary session of 20th Central Committee. The world is watching it closely, as being the centre of global trade and economy, decisions at the session will have implications for the global economy, trade and development.

The world expects major decisions that will set the tune of Chinese economy, society and international economic and diplomatic engagements. It is anticipated modernisation will be the main focus along with governance and deepening reforms as key enablers. The agenda of the meeting can be divided into two categories: long-term goal of modernisation and acceleration of enablers of “governance and reforms”.

Modernisation has been identified as the main instrument of national rejuvenation and sharing prosperity with the world. The present-day Chinese modernisation drive has roots in President Xi Jinping’s Thoughts on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics.

While delivering a report at the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, President Xi deliberated on the path to modernisation, required actions and China’s capacities and capabilities. He highlighted China has “self-confidence in the path, self-confidence in theory, self-confidence in the institutions and cultural self-confidence to construct modern socialism and socialist society with Chinese characteristics”.

Jiang Shigong, a Chinese scholar, argued no doubt modern implementation of modernisation has roots in President Xi’s thoughts. But the conceptual journey of modernisation started with Chairman Mao’s Ten Great Relationships and kept evolving. Prime Minister Zhou Enlai’s four modernisation goals can further strengthen the argument.

While speaking at the Conference on Scientific and Technological Work held in Shanghai in January 1963, he urged scientific community to work towards modernising agriculture, industry, defence, science and technology. Later on, the goals were formally adopted by Deng Xiaoping and became the cornerstone of reform era. The Cultural Revolution made it more radical. But reforms introduced by Deng Xiaoping brought China back on the path of modernisation. President Xi is leading the drive towards modernising socialism and the country.

It is appropriate to clarify here the path of Chinese modernisation and its philosophy differs from that of West. It has been defined by learning from Chinese civilisation, Marxism, Western civilisation, Muslim civilisation and others. China is not saying its civilisation is superior to others or that it does not need to learn.

President Xi reiterated the same message while speaking at the 20th National Congress. He said Chinese modernisation had adopted some unique features in accordance with ground realities of China, guiding the philosophy of society with Chinese characteristics and China’s commitment to global development and peace. Thus, Chinese modernisation is different from that of West. It has five distinctive characteristics which make it unique:

China strives to serve a huge population (1.4 billion), more than total population of developed world. No other country has experienced modernising of such a population. The success of this drive is expected to change the global dynamics. It will positively impact global production, consumption and trade systems. The spillover effects will also introduce changes in other countries and accelerate growth and development there. It will also push for innovation, as the world will have to produce more high-quality commodities and products to satisfy the needs of people.

Common prosperity would be the core goal of Chinese modernisation drive. It will focus on bringing positive change in the lives of common people and building a prosperous society. It is the cornerstone of socialism with Chinese characteristics. To achieve this objective, China is working to address regional divides, disparities between urban and rural areas and the gap in income distribution. China promotes social fairness and justice, works towards common prosperity for everyone and stands firmly against polarisation between rich and poor.

The most prominent example on this front is the Chinese commitment to developing the western region, with a special focus on Uygur Muslims and the community. China also wants to take this drive to the global level and contribute to global development and prosperity. Global Development Initiative, Belt and Road Initiative and Global Civilisations Initiative are a few examples to explain China’s commitment to global prosperity.

China will be pursuing a balanced model of modernisation. In President Xi’s words, “Modernisation balances material and cultural-ethical progress. It upholds the core socialist values, strengthens education on ideals and convictions, spreads splendid traditional culture, boosts people’s moral strength and fosters material abundance and well-rounded development of all”.

China will go for harmonious modernisation. It will stick to the philosophy of harmony between humans and nature and among the humans. President XI said, “When we modernise our country, we strive to synergise material and eco-environmental progress and follow a path of sound development that ensures growth, better lives and a good environment. Otherwise, pressure on resources and environment will become unbearable. It is in line with the philosophy and vision of Ecological Civilisation”.

Chinese modernisation follows a path of peaceful development. Some old capitalist countries pursued modernisation through violent exploitation of colonies and at the cost of other countries’ development. In contrast, China modernisation emphasises mutual benefit with other countries, strives for a global community of shared future and works to deliver peace and development to humanity.

It is entirely different from the Western model of modernisation. The West colonised countries and committed crimes against humanity. They killed or enslaved locals and exploited their resources. President Xi and the CPC leadership are convinced modernisation cannot be achieved without reforms and modernising governance system and capacity.

Therefore, the leadership will deliberate on modernising governance system and capacity and deepening the reforms. Modernisation of governance and reforms are highly dependent on each other. There is a need to build a quality modern system of governance and modernise the capacity of governance. To achieve this objective, the reform process would need to be expedited.

President Xi is convinced deepening reforms will remain an illusion without modernising governance system, capabilities and capacities. He launched a comprehensive programme and campaign to modernise governance and accelerate reforms. The third plenary session is expected to accelerate reform process and modernise governance system and capacity.