My take away on Xi Jinping New Year message 

Published: January 10,2023

By Gerald Mbanda

In his New Year address President Xi Jinping outlined China’s journey from the past into the future,  through which  one came easily see  a country moving forward in its ambition to become   a “strong, democratic, civilized, harmonious, and modern socialist country.” The year 2023 comes when China has already attained the first centenary goal and working towards the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization.

China is one country with a population of 1.4 billion almost the same size as the population of the entire African continent. There are many ethnics groups who are all united for a common purpose of building the Chinese nation. The outside world thinks that CPC is the only political party in China yet there are eight other parties. They do not oppose the ruling party- CPC political program for the sake of opposing as the western world runs its democracy. As long as the CPC agenda is good for the country and the people, all the parties come in agreement.  China’s development therefore, would not easily be achieved if the people were not united. In the New Year address, president Xi emphasized that China will be a country that draws its strength from unity.   

On unity, Xi said that, “going forward, China will be a country that draws its strength from unity. Ours is a big country. It is only natural for different people to have different concerns or hold different views on the same issue. What matters is that we build consensus through communication and consultation. When the 1.4 billion Chinese work with one heart and one mind, and stand in unity with a strong will, no task will be impossible and no difficulty insurmountable. The people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are members of one and the same family. I sincerely hope that our compatriots on both sides of the Strait will work together with a unity of purpose to jointly foster lasting prosperity of the Chinese nation.”

From 2013 to 2020, China lifted 12.37 million of its rural poor, out of extreme poverty. This came hand in hand with the development of the world’s most extensive high-speed railway network, totaling 40,000 kilometres, by the end of 2021. An increase of 330 percent from 2012. Absolute poverty was virtually eliminated nationwide, as millions, especially among the poorer rural populations, were lifted out of extreme poverty.

China’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), grew to whopping $17.7 trillion, equivalent to 18.5 per cent of the world’s total GDP, in 2021. GDP per capita, rose to an impressive 80,976yuan ($11,684) 69.7 percent up on 2012. China remains the second world largest economy. 

“China is a country where dreams become a reality,” president Xi said. Indeed such dreams do not simply happen as wishes. They are attained through hard work and proper planning and evaluation. Of course, there may be stumbling blocks along the way which may be obstacles but not hindrances to achieve the dreams. They have been many breakthroughs not only in economy, but also in other fields of science and technology.

“Shenzhou-13, Shenzhou-14 and Shenzhou-15 soared into the heavens. China’s space station was fully completed and our “home in space” is roving in the deep-blue sky. The people’s armed forces marked the 95th birthday and all service members are marching confidently on the great journey of building a strong military. China’s third aircraft carrier Fujian was launched. C919, China’s first large passenger aircraft, was delivered. And the Baihetan hydropower station went into full operation… None of these achievements would have been possible without the sweat and toil of the numerous Chinese people. Sparks of talent are coming together, and they are the strength of China!” These are not mean achievements. They are miraculous indeed and I always watch in awe and happy for the advancement of the Chinese nation in these fields. The achievements are of benefit to all humanity. 

The unity of strength was not only realized within China alone. It is also realized in China’s foreign policy of working with other countries for common prosperity and support to each other in the fight against global challenges, like epidemics, climate change, terrorism etc.  Since the outbreak of COVID-19, China led by example by supporting many countries around the world especially the developing countries to respond to the pandemic. China shared the much need vaccines and other essential materials that helped to save lives. 

I was also impressed by the fact that China progress has given hope to the young generation. These are the working class and future leaders who will pick up the mantle of national rejuvenation from their seniors. The youth who have a country at heart and ready to develop and defend their nation are a gem that the country should be proud of. 

It is interesting to note that it is not only the Chinese youth who have confidence in their country. The 2022 African Youth Survey, commissioned by South Africa’s Ichikowitz Family Foundation, found that 76 percent of youth respondents believe that China brings positive influence to the African continent. In Rwanda, the survey found that 97 percent of youths said China is among the most influential foreign countries in Africa, with 95 percent of those in Malawi saying the same, followed by Nigeria with 90 percent.

“For a second time, China has emerged as the foreign country most young Africans see as engaged in the world around them, and the overwhelming majority sees that engagement as a win-win scenario,” said Ivor Ichikowitz, chairman of the Ichikowitz Family Foundation. This is evidence that the China-Africa cooperation gives confidence of a brighter future as shared by the youth both in China and Africa.  

Gerald Mbanda is a Researcher and publisher on China and Africa.  

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